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Physical and Biological Aspects of Puberty

  • Chapter
Girls at Puberty

Abstract

Puberty is a complex biological and maturational event, spans many years, is characterized by marked physical changes which prepare the body for reproduction, and is not well understood in terms of its onset. Menarche (the first menstrual period) occurs fairly late in this maturational process. Since menarche is such a salient event for the pubertal girl, it has been studied with more intensity than the other events of puberty.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Medicine, and Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University; and St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, New York, 10019, USA

    Michelle P. Warren

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  1. Michelle P. Warren
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for the Study of Exceptional Children, Educational Testing Service, 08541, Princeton, New Jersey, USA

    Jeanne Brooks-Gunn

  2. Department of Pediatrics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 10019, New York, New York, USA

    Jeanne Brooks-Gunn

  3. Department of Individual and Family Studies, College of Human Development, The Pennsylvania State University, 16802, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA

    Anne C. Petersen

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Warren, M.P. (1983). Physical and Biological Aspects of Puberty. In: Brooks-Gunn, J., Petersen, A.C. (eds) Girls at Puberty. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0354-9_1

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