Abstract
56 boys, aged 9.2 - 17.8 years, with height deviation for age (HD) (mean±SD) -2.6 ± 0.8 SD, lag in Greulich-Pyle bone age (BA) 2.7 ± 0.9 years, and height deviation for BA corrected according to a longitudinal Finnish study (IPH, index of potential height) −0.9 ± 0.8 SD, were given fluoxymesterone 0.13 ± 0.05 mg/kg daily (dose increasing with BA) for 1.0 ± 0.4 years, minimum 0.4 years. Growth velocity during treatment was greater (p 10 years (group II, N=40, 9.0 ± 1.3 cm/year) compared with similar control groups (N=15 and 36, velocity 4.1 ± 1.4 and 6.1 ± 2.1 cm/year, respectively). ΔHD was 0.4 ± 0.3 SD during treatment against 0.1 ± 0.4 SD in controls (p 0.4 years after treatment and their total ΔIPH was −0.7 ± 1.4 SD and 0.2 ± 0.3 SD, respectively. The size of testes clearly increased during treatment in 2/3 of the boys. Of plasma gonadotrophins FSH decreased from pretreatment levels after 4 - 6 months treatment, LH showed no significant change. 3 boys of group I had frequent erections or appearance of pubic hair. Our mode of treatment brings about an acceleration of growth and maturation. In boys with BA >10 years its mean effect on final height is a slight increase. In younger boys this effect is uncertain and it may not be wise to treat boys prior to BA 10 years.
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