Evaluation of Average Post-menarche Height Growth and Associated Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Adolescents experience rapid height growth during puberty, which eventually slows down and ceases due to epiphyseal senescence. Menarche marks the final stage of puberty and often raises concerns about the cessation of height growth. Objectives: This study aims to examine post-menarche height growth and identify the factors associated with it. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included adolescent females who visited pediatric endocrinology clinics in Hamadan between 2001 and 2018 and had a minimum follow-up period of three years. Data extracted from patients' medical records included demographic details, birth weight, birth order, height, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), and stages of thelarche and pubarche. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 26. Results: The medical records of 91 girls were evaluated. The mean age of menarche was 11.93 ± 1.27 years. On average, the participants grew 7.98 ± 3.47 cm in height within three years after menarche. The study revealed a significant inverse correlation between post-menarche height growth and both the age at menarche and height at the onset of menarche. No correlation between height growth and other variables was observed. Conclusions: Post-menarche height growth was negatively correlated with height and age at menarche. However, there is limited research on post-menarche height growth in Iranian girls, highlighting the need for further studies.