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THE AGE OF MENARCHE IN SYDNEY SCHOOLGIRLS IN 1973 WITH COMMENT ON THE SECULAR TREND
Author(s) -
MARDER K.,
HARVEY J.,
RUSSO P.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
journal of paediatrics and child health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.631
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1440-1754
pISSN - 1034-4810
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1754.1974.tb01104.x
Subject(s) - menarche , secular variation , medicine , demography , probit model , menstruation , pediatrics , statistics , endocrinology , mathematics , sociology
SYNOPSIS The age of menarche was investigated in a cross‐sectional sample of 840 girls aged 9 to 17 years attending state schools in Sydney in 1973. A probit analysis yielded a mean of 13.26 ± 0.069 yr with a standard deviation of 1.10 yr. Norms for onset of menstruation were estimated for girls 9 to 18 years in 6‐monthly intervals. The results were in close agreement with Melbourne data from Towns et al. (1966). A retrospective mean was also found (12.76 yr) which did not differ significantly from a recent similar analysis on Sydney schoolgirls by Harper and Collins (1972). A survey of recent overseas studies using probit analyses found a consensus in Western Europe of 13.0 to 13.4 yr although older and younger means are in evidence elsewhere. An examination of the evidence on a secular trend in menarche in Australia suggested the evidence was not sound enough to allow any positive statement.