Onset of menarche, development of secondary sexual characteristics and secular trend in girls in Bratislava region

Česká verzia

Authors: MUDr. Magdaléna Gerová; MUDr. Zuzana Nižňanská, Ph.D.; doc. MUDr. Miroslav Korbeľ, CSc.; doc. MUDr. Martin Redecha, Ph.D.
Authors place of work: I. gynekologicko-pôrodnícka klinika LF UK a FNsP Bratislava
Published in the journal: Prakt Gyn 2008; 12(1): 22-26

Summary

Objectives:
To determine the average age of onset of puberty and menarche in a randomly chosen population of girls of the Bratislava region, to map the development of secondary sexual characteristics and influence of BMI and to find out if a secular trend continues in this population.

Subjects and methods:
103 girls aged 7–17 years without an endocrine pathology and a morphologic pathology of the internal genital organs were examined by the status quo method. Their height and weight were measured. Breast development B I–B V was determined by visual examination and by palpation. Pubic hair development P I–P V and axillary hair development A I–A III were determined by visual examination. The age of onset of menarche of girls and their mothers was established using a questionnaire.

Results:
The average values of secondary sexual characteristics for the age categories and the average age of menarche onset were determined. The onset of breast development was at the age of 10 years + 9 months on average. The onset of pubic hair development was at the age of 11 years and the onset of axillary hair development was at the age of 12 years on average. The average age of onset of menarche was 12,49 years – 12 years + 5 months.

Conclusion:
There is a connection between higher postmenarcheal BMI and lower age at onset of menarche. Our results show that secularisation in girls of the Bratislava region still continues.

Key words:
secularisation, menarche, secondary sexual characteristics, BMI

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