Compressed progression of puberty in South Indian Girls between 1981 and 1998

Objectives: The study aims to provide evidence for the compressed progress of puberty in affluent South Indian girls from Chennai. Material and Methods: This is a cross-sectional school-based study. Data collected as part of these two surveys which were conducted within 2 weeks’ time during July 1981 and 1998. Tanner staging was used. The first survey was in the year 1981, designated as Group 1. The year of the second survey was 1998, designated as Group 2. Results: Results showed the following: The number of subjects was 1976 in Group 1 (1981) and 1520 in Group 2 (1998). Mean values at 50 th percentile: Time taken to move from P2 to P4, 1981 = 3.2 years and time taken to move from P2 to P4, 1998 = 2.1 years. Menarche mean/median age of attainment in year 1981 versus 1998 was 12.4 (SD 1.I) and 12.1 (SD 1.07) years respectively ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: Time taken to complete all the breast and PH stages was compressed from 4.8 years to 3.4 years in the two studies. The Thelarche-menarche duration also was compressed from 1.2 years to 0.9 years in the two studies. Early menarche in South Indian girls is associated with compressed progression of sexual maturity ratings.