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Original ArticleOpen Access
Earlier Onset of Pubertal Maturation in Thai Girls
Mahachoklertwattana P 
,
Suthutvoravut U ,
Charoenkiatkul S ,
Chongviriyaphan N ,
Rojroongwasinkul N ,
Thakkinstian A ,
Rajatanavin R
,
Suthutvoravut U ,
Charoenkiatkul S ,
Chongviriyaphan N ,
Rojroongwasinkul N ,
Thakkinstian A ,
Rajatanavin R Background : Recent studies in the USA and Hong Kong demonstrated the onset of puberty
in girls has shifted toward a younger age. Based upon previous studies on variations of pubertal maturation
in Thai girls, the secular trend has also moved toward an earlier age. The latest study in 1995
revealed the mean age of menarche was 12.3 years.
Objectives : To identify the onset of puberty, menarche and pubarche in female children
and adolescents in 2 Bangkok schools.
Method: Three hundred school girls aged 9-19 years were enrolled in the study. Data were
collected from January 1997 through December 1999. Assessment of pubertal staging by Tanner's
criteria was performed by a trained pediatrician. All were in good physical health and had normal
height and weight. The median ages of thelarche, menarche and pubarche were estimated by probit
analysis. All other parameters were expressed as mean ± SD.
Results : The median ages of thelarche and pubarche were 9.4 and 11.1 years, respectively.
Two hundred and twenty one girls had experienced menstruation. The median age of menarche was
11.2 years, whereas, the mean age was 12.1 years. Most girls reached near final adult height after
14 years old.
Conclusion : The secular trend in decline of the ages of thelarche (or puberty) and menarche
was observed in Bangkok girls. Further study in a larger population including a younger age group
is required to define the current reference interval of onset of puberty.
Key word : Pubertal Maturation, Menarche, Pubarche, Adrenarche, Thelarche
in girls has shifted toward a younger age. Based upon previous studies on variations of pubertal maturation
in Thai girls, the secular trend has also moved toward an earlier age. The latest study in 1995
revealed the mean age of menarche was 12.3 years.
Objectives : To identify the onset of puberty, menarche and pubarche in female children
and adolescents in 2 Bangkok schools.
Method: Three hundred school girls aged 9-19 years were enrolled in the study. Data were
collected from January 1997 through December 1999. Assessment of pubertal staging by Tanner's
criteria was performed by a trained pediatrician. All were in good physical health and had normal
height and weight. The median ages of thelarche, menarche and pubarche were estimated by probit
analysis. All other parameters were expressed as mean ± SD.
Results : The median ages of thelarche and pubarche were 9.4 and 11.1 years, respectively.
Two hundred and twenty one girls had experienced menstruation. The median age of menarche was
11.2 years, whereas, the mean age was 12.1 years. Most girls reached near final adult height after
14 years old.
Conclusion : The secular trend in decline of the ages of thelarche (or puberty) and menarche
was observed in Bangkok girls. Further study in a larger population including a younger age group
is required to define the current reference interval of onset of puberty.
Key word : Pubertal Maturation, Menarche, Pubarche, Adrenarche, Thelarche
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