Abstract
Eleven tall boys were treated with testosterone using a long acting testosterone preparation in a mean dosage of 532 ± 147 mg/m2/mo. Treatment was considered justified if predicted adult height was 195 cm or more. Mean duration of treatment was 2,1 years. Chronological age at start of treatment ranged from 8,5 to 16,1 years (×=12,62 ± 2,39), bone age ranged from 11,1 to 15,7 acc. to the TW II (RUS) method. Parent's height was ×=188,7 ± 8,52 for the fathers, and 175, 1 ± 6,43 for the mothers. Mean predicted adult height was acc. to Bayley-Pinneau 205,17 ± 12,02 cm and 206,92 ± 13,03 cm acc. to Tanner. All boys except two were in puberty when treatment was started and adults at the time of evaluation. On the basis of bone age (RUS TW II) at start of treatment, 3 groups were formed: group I: 3 boys with a bone age of < 12 years (x=11,25), group II: 4 boys with a bone age of 12-14 years (x=13,27), group III: 4 boys with a bone age of > 14 years (x=15,0). Mean height reduction amounted to 11,4 ± 6,9 cm for all boys together. Group I: 20,5 ± 3,0 cm; group II: 8,5±4,1 cm and group III: 5,3±1,5 cm. Hence it follows that the reduction is the greater the earlier therapy is started. Side effects were in general of minor degree. In 2 boys we had to discontinue the treatment (severe akne and psychic disturbances).
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Esteves, P., Bierich, J. Testosterone therapy in boys with tall stature. Pediatr Res 13, 1191 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197910000-00066
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197910000-00066
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