Comparison of statural height growth velocity with chronological age and dental development at different cervical vertebral maturation stages in a contemporary Irish population

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate if a correlation exists between CVM stage and statural height growth velocity, chronological age and dental development in a contemporary Irish population. Materials and Methods: Following ethical approval, a total of 269 subjects were recruited from the orthodontic treatment waiting list at Cork University Dental School and Hospital (CUDSH). All participants had a digital lateral cephalogram and DPT as part of their initial orthodontic records. Standardised standing height was also measured at this initial appointment and at subsequent 6 to 8 week intervals for approximately one year to calculate a mean annualised growth velocity (MAGV). A single calibrated observer assessed CVM stage from lateral cephalograms using the method described by Baccetti et al., (2005) and dental development stage of the mandibular second permanent molar from each DPT using Demirjian’s Index. Chronological age was determined from the subject’s chart. Statistical analysis of MAGV, chronological age and stage of dental development were performed using ANOVA, with CVM and gender as factors. Pairwise comparisons were made between CVM stages. Results: The final sample comprised of 218 subjects (121 females, 97 males), with a mean age of 14.02 (SD 1.97) years and age range of 8.82-18.77 years. Intra-observer (ĸ = 0.97) and inter-observer (ĸ = 0.94) reliability of CVM stage assessment were ‘almost perfect’. Intra-observer reliability for dental development stage was also ‘almost perfect’ (ĸ = 0.97). There was a statistically significant difference in MAGV between CVM stages (p<0.0001) and between genders (p<0.0001). The peak in statural height growth velocity occurred at CVM stage 3 in both males (mean age 13.39 (SD 0.75) years) and females (mean age 11.95 (SD 0.82) years). Chronological age exhibited significant differences between CVM stages (p<0.0001) and between genders (p<0.0001). There was also a statistically significant difference in the distribution of dental development stage between CVM stages (p