Effect of Earthquake‐Related Trauma on Pubertal Maturation: Evidence From Skeletal Age Assessment Following the 2023 Kahramanmaras Earthquakes

The devastating earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaras on February 6, 2023, caused significant psychosocial stress among children, which may have influenced the timing of pubertal onset. Since early puberty is associated with adverse physical and psychological outcomes, understanding the potential of environmental factors-such as natural disasters-to accelerate pubertal development is of great importance. In this retrospective study, a total of 1044 wrist radiographs taken from children aged 10-19 at four university dental faculties were evaluated. The radiographs were obtained during two time periods: pre-earthquake (February 6, 2022-February 6, 2023; n = 544) and postearthquake (February 6, 2023-February 6, 2024; n = 500). All images were assessed by a single expert using the skeletal maturation scale proposed by Grave and Brown. The MP3cap stage, which represents the peak of pubertal growth, was used as the main parameter. Due to the distribution of the data, nonparametric statistical tests were applied. In both female and male children, the age at the MP3cap stage after the earthquake was significantly lower compared to pre-earthquake values, indicating earlier pubertal growth spurts (p < 0.05). The findings indicate that the psychosocial stress induced by the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes may have accelerated pubertal development in children. These results underscore the importance of closely monitoring the growth and development of children affected by natural disasters and providing them with comprehensive psychosocial and medical support.