الفهرس 
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Abstract
Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the pubertal growth spurt in Egyptian adolescent girls, using middle phalanx of the middle finger (MP3) as a skeletal maturity indicator. Additionally, the bone radiodensity in the pubertal stages was assessed using a radiodensitometry analysis and to correlate the bone radiodensity with pubertal stages.
Materials and methods: This study was carried out at Alexandria governorate, as a part of a national project that covers most of governorates in Egypt, between the period of 9/2016 till 9/2017. A total sample of 1257 girls were included in the study, with an age range of (8 -14 years). Middle phalanx of the middle finger (MP3) was digitally radiographed for each subject. Each radiograph was interpreted and assigned its MP3 stage twice by the same assessor and by another assessor. Radiodensity was measured for a total sample of 30 radiographs, selected randomly and equally from each pubertal group of MP3 (pre-pubertal, pubertal, post-pubertal).
Results: The results of the study revealed that there was a statistically significant difference between mean age values at different MP3 growth stages. The mean age value of the peak of pubertal growth spurt represented by MP3 stage G were 11.21 ± 0.85 years old. There was a statistically significant difference between mean bone density values at different pubertal stages (pre-pubertal, pubertal, post-pubertal). Pre-pubertal stage showed the statistically significant lowest mean bone density.
Conclusions: Based on the findings of this study, the following conclusions could be drawn:
1. There was a statistically significant difference between mean age values at different MP3 growth stages
2. The onset and peak of pubertal growth spurt (MP3-FG, MP3-G), in Egyptian girls were found to occur at 10.01 ± 0.91 and 11.21 ± 0.85 years respectively. Accordingly most of growth modification treatment should be considered according to such age range, which represents the active growth period.
3. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between age and bone radiodensity of the MP3. An increase in age was associated with an increase in bone density.
4. Despite there was no statistically significant correlation between puberty stages and bone radiodensity, the bone radiodensity of the middle finger was significantly different in the pre-pubertal stage than pubertal or post-pubertal stages.
5. There was a very good reliability of the MP3 assessment method.