Background/purpose: Short stature is a common manifestation of Turner syndrome. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of growth hormone (GH) therapy alone on the adult height of children with Turner syndrome.
Methods: From 1987 to 2006, 21 Turner syndrome patients who had been treated with GH for >2 years and had reached adult height were enrolled in the study. The dosage of GH was 0.33 mg/kg/week. Estrogen replacement therapy was prescribed at the age of 15.6+/-0.9 years, if indicated. The patients had been followed-up until they reached their adult height. During the same period, 28 Turner syndrome patients who were not treated with growth-promoting agents were enrolled for comparison. Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used for comparison.
Results: Twenty-one patients in the study group started GH therapy at the age of 11.5+/-1.8 years. The duration of GH therapy was 4.0+/-1.5 years. The growth rate before treatment was 3.8+/-0.7 cm/year, which increased to 7.1+/-1.4, 5.4+/-1.4 and 4.7+/-0.9 cm/year during the first 3 years of GH therapy, respectively. Patients who received GH reached an adult height of 150.0+/-5.1 cm, which was significantly higher than the 144.7+/-5.9 cm of the control group (p<0.05). The adult height of the study group was 6.3+/-3.3 cm taller than their projected adult height upon enrolment. No major adverse events were detected during GH therapy.
Conclusion: GH alone is safe and effective for the promotion of growth in children with Turner syndrome in Taiwan.