James Mourilyan Tanner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Mourilyan Tanner
FRCPsych FRCP
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James Tanner working in his garden
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| Born | 1 August 1920 |
| Died | 11 August 2010 (aged 90) Wellington, Somerset, United Kingdom
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| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | St Mary's Hospital Medical School University of Pennsylvania |
| Known for | Tanner scale and later experiments in using human growth hormone in children. |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Paediatric Endocrinology |
| Institutions | St Thomas' Hospital UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health |
James Mourilyan Tanner (born August 1, 1920 – died August 11, 2010) was a British doctor who specialized in how children grow. He is best known for creating the Tanner scale. This scale helps doctors understand the different stages of development a person goes through during puberty. He was also a professor at the Institute of Child Health in London.
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Who Was James Tanner?
James Tanner was born on August 1, 1920, in Camberley, Surrey, United Kingdom. He went to Marlborough College and later studied at the University College of the South West of England. His family moved around a lot when he was young because his father was a soldier in the British Army.
Early Life and Education
Tanner was a very good hurdler. He might have even competed in the 1940 Summer Olympics. However, these games were cancelled because World War II began. After his brother died early in the war, Tanner decided to become a doctor instead of joining the military.
He studied at St Mary's Hospital, London. He received a scholarship that required him to teach other students about physical education. Later, he went to the United States to finish his medical studies. This trip was funded by a special grant. While in the U.S., he met his first wife, Bernice Alture, who was also a doctor.
Studying Child Growth
In 1948, James Tanner began overseeing an important study at an orphanage in Harpenden, England. The British government originally planned this study to look at how not getting enough food affected children. However, Tanner expanded the research.
The Tanner Scale and Growth Charts
For several years, Tanner carefully watched and photographed the children's growth. From this work, he created the Tanner scale. This scale measures how much adolescents have matured. It looks at physical changes that doctors can easily observe.
The information he collected also led to the creation of modern growth charts. Doctors all over the world now use these charts. They help doctors track how children grow from birth through their teenage years. There are different charts for boys and girls. These charts also show if a child is maturing early, normally, or late.
Genetics and Environment in Growth
Based on his research, Tanner found that about 90% of a child's adult height comes from their genes. However, he also learned that the environment is very important when looking at thousands of children. By studying how large groups of people grew, Tanner realized something important. He saw that the average adult height in a community could show how well that society supports its young people.
Research on Growth Hormone
Tanner also did early research on using human growth hormone (HGH). This hormone was used to help children whose growth was very slow. He was responsible for choosing the few children in the UK who would receive this limited treatment.
In 1985, some patients around the world who received HGH treatments became ill. Tanner immediately stopped the therapy to ensure safety. Later, in the 1990s, treatments started again. This was because scientists developed a new, safer type of human growth hormone using genetic engineering.
Later Life and Legacy
James Tanner passed away on August 11, 2010, at the age of 90. He died in Wellington, Somerset, from a stroke and prostate cancer. He left behind his second wife, Gunilla, a daughter, a stepdaughter, a stepson, and three granddaughters. His work continues to help doctors understand and monitor child development worldwide.
