Menarchal determinants in cystic fibrosis
T. Moshang and D. S. Holsclaw Jr
Age, derived fat index (FI), and clinical score at the time of menarche
were determined from records of 63 girls with cystic fibrosis (CF) and from
17 comparably aged but nonmenarchal girls with CF. The mean age of menarche
in girls with CF was 14.5 years at a mean FI of 20.1% fat; thus, they were
significantly older and had less fat than normal girls. Menarchal age was
related to severity of illness. Amenorrheic girls with CF, mean age of 14
years, were significantly sicker and smaller. Gonadotropin and estradiol
levels in 23 girls with CF were normal. The delay in menarche in CF appears
to be closely related to severity of illness. Furthermore, although the
relationship of puberty to body composition may or may not be coincidental,
it is unlikely that puberty is initiated by a "critical body composition."
