Growth response and final height in Turner syndrome after combination therapy of growth hormone and anabolic steroid.

Abstract

To improve the growth of Turner syndrome patients we administered human growth hormone (GH) combined with anabolic steroid. Thirty three patients completed at least one year of GH therapy. Daily GH injection was started at a dose of 1.0 IU/kg/wk at age 12.6 +/- 2.1 years when their heights were below -3.2 +/- 2.1 standard deviation, growth velocity was less than 4 cm/year and bone age (BA) was 9.9 +/- 1.7 years. Anabolic steroid was added at 14.3 +/- 1.3 years of age when their growth velocity slowed. Their consecutive annual growth velocities were: 7.40 cm/year; 6.15 cm/year; 5.47 cm/year; 4.74 cm/year and 4.05 cm/year respectively. Growth hormone therapy was discontinued when patients grew less than 4 cm/year, their BA reached 14 years or they were satisfied with their height. After combination therapy of GH for 3.0 +/- 1.1 years and anabolic steroids for 1.9 +/- 1.0 years, the final height of 17 patients was 150.3 +/- 4.1 cm. We compared our results with worldwide reports and analyzed demographic factors related to growth response and final height. We conclude that combination therapy of GH and anabolic steroid is effective in improving growth and final height of Chinese Turner patients.