Growth and development: pubertal growth spurt: practice question

A Pediatrics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pediatrics · Growth and development: pubertal growth spurt

Sample item

A 12-year-old girl who attained menarche six months ago and a 12-year-old boy with testicular volume of 6 mL attend a growth clinic together. A parent asks who has the greater remaining height potential. Which statement is correct?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Girls reach peak height velocity earlier in puberty, so she has less growth left

In girls the pubertal growth spurt peaks early, around Tanner stage 2 to 3 and before menarche, so little height is gained after menarche. In boys the spurt comes late, around Tanner stage 4 with testicular volume about 10 to 12 mL. Boys therefore gain more total height.

Option by option

  • A. Boys reach peak height velocity at the start of puberty

    In boys the peak comes late in puberty, not at its start.

  • B. Girls reach peak height velocity earlier in puberty, so she has less growth left (correct)

    Correct. The spurt in girls peaks before menarche, so she has limited growth remaining.

  • C. Both sexes reach peak height velocity at the same pubertal stage

    The two sexes differ: the girl's spurt is early and the boy's is late.

  • D. Girls reach peak height velocity after menarche, so she has more growth left

    Girls have their fastest growth before menarche, not after it.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is B, Girls reach peak height velocity earlier in puberty, so she has less growth left. In girls the pubertal growth spurt peaks early, around Tanner stage 2 to 3 and before menarche, so little height is gained after menarche.

Why is "Boys reach peak height velocity at the start of puberty" not the answer?

In boys the peak comes late in puberty, not at its start.

Why is "Both sexes reach peak height velocity at the same pubertal stage" not the answer?

The two sexes differ: the girl's spurt is early and the boy's is late.

Why is "Girls reach peak height velocity after menarche, so she has more grow…" not the answer?

Girls have their fastest growth before menarche, not after it.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Growth and development: pubertal growth spurt in Pediatrics. In boys the spurt comes late, around Tanner stage 4 with testicular volume about 10 to 12 mL. Boys therefore gain more total height.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Growth and development: pubertal growth spurt?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.