secular trend
Pronunciation: SEK-yoo-lar
Long-term population-wide changes in growth patterns and pubertal timing over generations.
Full Definition
Secular trend refers to gradual, long-term changes in growth patterns and developmental milestones observed across populations over decades or centuries. In pediatric endocrinology, this commonly describes the trend toward earlier pubertal onset and increased adult height in developed countries over the past century. Factors contributing to secular trends include improved nutrition, reduced infectious disease burden, better healthcare, and potentially environmental influences like endocrine disruptors. The secular trend toward earlier puberty has implications for defining normal pubertal timing and may influence the prevalence of precocious puberty diagnoses. Understanding secular trends helps clinicians interpret growth and developmental patterns in historical context and adjust reference standards accordingly.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from short-term changes or individual variations; emphasize population-level patterns.
In Context
- "The secular trend toward earlier menarche has lowered the age threshold for precocious puberty evaluation." — Pediatric endocrinology review article
- "Secular trends in height gain have plateaued in developed countries over recent decades." — Population health research