Which staging tool is used to describe sexual maturation in children?

The Tanner stages are a widely accepted system for assessing sexual maturation in children and adolescents, defining physical development through distinct stages. This tool categorizes the progression of secondary sexual characteristics based on observable traits, such as breast development in females and genital development in males. The Tanner stages range from stage I (prepubertal) to stage V (full maturity), enabling healthcare professionals to evaluate normal growth patterns, identify potential delays or abnormalities in sexual development, and guide appropriate health interventions.

The other options represent staging tools used for different purposes: the Gleason score is used to evaluate prostate cancer, the Bishop score assesses the readiness for labor in pregnant women, and the Berkeley scale is often applied in the context of asymptomatic inflammatory diseases. Each of these tools functions within its specific medical context, making them unsuitable for describing sexual maturation in children.