Age of onset of menarche and secondary sexual characters in Sri Lankan girls of two different regions

Wickramasinghe, V. Pujitha; Silva, Tun De; Patabenda, HH; Silva, Ank de; Rajapakse, L.C.; Lamabadusuriya, Sanath P

doi:10.4038/cmj.v54i1.473

Cited by 6 publications

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“…Although there are few studies of iron status in Sri Lankan adolescents, our findings are consistent with a study in the Western Province where low serum ferritin was found in 29.4% adolescent female school drop-outs [ 21 ]. The age at which girls achieve menarche varies worldwide [ 22 ] and in Sri Lanka occurs between the ages of 11–13 years [ 23 ]. The greater frequency of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia in females compared with males is likely due to insufficient iron intake to compensate for menstrual losses [ 24 – 27 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Iron status and anaemia in Sri Lankan secondary school children: A cross-sectional survey

Allen¹,

Allen²,

Rodrigo³

et al. 2017

PLoS ONE

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BackgroundIron deficiency, the most common micronutrient disorder and cause of anaemia globally, impairs growth, cognition, behaviour and resistance to infection.Methods/ResultsAs part of a national survey of inherited haemoglobin variants in 7526 students from 72 secondary schools purposefully selected from the 25 districts of Sri Lanka, we studied 5912 students with a normal haemoglobin genotype. Median age was 16.0 (IQR 15.0–17.0) years and 3189 (53.9%) students were males. Most students were Sinhalese (65.7%), with fewer Tamils (23.1%) and Muslims (11.2%). Anaemia occurred in 470 students and was more common in females (11.1%) than males (5.6%). Haemoglobin, serum ferritin, transferrin receptor and iron were determined in 1196 students with low red cell indices and a structured sample of those with normal red cell indices (n = 513). The findings were weighted to estimate the frequencies of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia classified according to WHO criteria. Iron depletion (serum ferritin <15ug/ml) occurred in 19.2% and cellular iron deficiency (low serum ferritin and transferrin receptor >28.1 nmol/l) in 11.6% students. Iron deficiency anaemia (cellular iron deficiency with low haemoglobin) occurred in only 130/2794 (4.6%) females and 28/2789 (1.0%) males. Iron biomarkers were normal in 83/470 (14.6%) students with anaemia. In multiple regression analysis, the odds for iron depletion and cellular iron deficiency were about one-third in males compared with females, and the odds for iron deficiency anaemia were about one fifth in males compared to females. Tamil ethnicity and age <16 years increased the risk of all three stages of iron deficiency and living at high altitude significantly reduced the risk of iron depletion.ConclusionsLow iron status and anaemia remain common problems in Sri Lankan secondary school students especially females, younger students and the socioeconomically disadvantaged Tamil population. More research is needed to identify factors other than low iron status that contribute to anaemia in adolescents.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This may be due to the increased demand for iron during the most active phase of the pubertal growth spurt that occurs before age 16 years in most children [ 30 , 31 ]. In Sri Lanka most adolescent girls have completed puberty by age 15.5 years [ 23 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Iron status and anaemia in Sri Lankan secondary school children: A cross-sectional survey

Allen¹,

Allen²,

Rodrigo³

et al. 2017

PLoS ONE

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“…Given the 13-16y age range, adolescents in our sample were very likely in mid-to late puberty, when sex differences related to pubertal development would already be evident. In a large Sri Lankan sample, median age at menarche was 11.2y, with all girls ≥ 13y in advanced stages of puberty (Tanner stage IV or V) (Wickramasinghe et al, 2009). These data, and the fact that 84% of the girls in our sample had reached menarche, strongly suggest that all were in Tanner stages ≥ III.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 53%

Mental health problems in Sri Lankan adolescents exposed to the tsunami and other traumatic events

Ponnamperuma¹

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People interested in the research are advised to contact the author for the final version of the publication, or visit the DOI to the publisher's website. • The final author version and the galley proof are versions of the publication after peer review. • The final published version features the final layout of the paper including the volume, issue and page numbers. Link to publication General rights Copyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the public portal are retained by the authors and/or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. • Users may download and print one copy of any publication from the public portal for the purpose of private study or research. • You may not further distribute the material or use it for any profit-making activity or commercial gain • You may freely distribute the URL identifying the publication in the public portal. If the publication is distributed under the terms of Article 25fa of the Dutch Copyright Act, indicated by the "Taverne" license above, please follow below link for the End User Agreement:

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“…In contrast, a significantly higher prevalence of ID and IDA was observed among adolescent females than males [ 12 , 23 ], which, as noted above, is possibly related to the occurrence of menarche in females. The median age of menarche and attaining an adult state in Sri Lanka has been found to be 11.2 and 15.5 years old, respectively [ 32 ]. Further, female adolescents reported significantly lower SF, transferrin receptor, and iron values compared to their counterparts ( p value < 0.001) [ 23 ].…”

Section: Prevalence Of Mnd In Sri Lankamentioning

confidence: 99%

Micronutrient Status in Sri Lanka: A Review

et al. 2018

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Micronutrients include vitamins, minerals and, trace elements that are required in minute quantities but play a vital role in normal human growth, development and physiological functioning. Micronutrient deficiencies, also known as hidden hunger, are a global issue, with particularly high prevalence rates in developing countries. Currently, Sri Lanka is experiencing the double burden of over- and undernutrition. This review describes the micronutrient status of Sri Lanka based on results of national surveys and related articles published from 2000. The available data suggest a higher prevalence of iron, zinc, calcium, folate, and vitamin A deficiencies. The prevalence of iodine deficiency has declined gradually following the implementation of a universal salt iodization program. Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia and low red blood cell indices. Females are more vulnerable to micronutrient deficiencies than males. The coexistence of multiple micronutrient deficiencies and concurrent macro- and micronutrient deficiencies is common. Studies have shown an association between micronutrient deficiencies and different demographic, socioeconomic, and dietary factors. Therefore, there is a need for comprehensive studies, nutritional policies, and nationwide intervention programs in Sri Lanka to improve the micronutrient status of the population.

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Age of onset of menarche and secondary sexual characters in Sri Lankan girls of two different regions

Cited by 6 publications

References 0 publications

Iron status and anaemia in Sri Lankan secondary school children: A cross-sectional survey

Iron status and anaemia in Sri Lankan secondary school children: A cross-sectional survey

Mental health problems in Sri Lankan adolescents exposed to the tsunami and other traumatic events

Micronutrient Status in Sri Lanka: A Review

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