Differential long bone growth of children between two months and eleven years of age

Abstract

Diaphyseal lengths of the humerus, radius, femur and tibia of upper-middle class White children between two months and 11 years of age show positive allometric growth, indicating substantial shape or proportional change. The segments of the lower extremity display greater allometric increase than the humerus and radius; variation in relative growth within each extremity is small and inconsistent. Sex differences are consistent, with slightly greater proportional increases demonstrated for boys. The results suggest that absolute intralimb variation in growth, following a disto-proximo growth or maturity gradient, is due to initial differences in size or scale and not to differences in patterns of growth. Developmental variation between extremities is due to scaling plus variation in relative growth patterns.