CORRELATION OF SKELETAL MATURATION STAGES OF MP3 WITH ONSET OF MENARCHE AMONGST RURAL AND URBAN SCHOOL GIRLS

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and correlate skeletal maturation stages of Middle phalanx of third finger (MP3) with the onset of menarche in rural and urban school girls. Materials and methods: 100 urban school girls and 100 rural school girls were randomly selected comprising of 50 menarche unattained girls and 50 menarche attained girls respectively for each group. For each subject, radiographs of middle phalanx of middle finger and record about onset of menarche were taken after every three months for a total duration of one and half year comprising a total of 6 visits. Results: The results showed onset of menarche at HI MP3 stage for 50%, HMP3 stage for 47.5% and GMP3 stage for 2.5% in rural girls (subgroup D2) whereas onset of menarche was at HMP3 stage for 41.6%, HI MP3 stage for 50% and GMP3 stage for 8.33% in urban girls (subgroup B2). No significant difference in the MP3 skeletal stage distribution of two groups was seen after applying Chi-square test (P>0.05). The mean menarche attaining age of the rural girls was 12.6±.84 years and urban girls was 11.8±.79 years. Conclusions: The correlation between MP3 skeletal maturation and onset of menarche, established the onset of menarche at H and HI stage for both rural and urban school girls. The results show earlier mean menarche-attaining age for urban girls than rural girls