Turner Syndrome: Searching for Better Outcomes

OBJECTIVES To assess the results of growth hormone on the growth of girls with Turner Syndrome and identify relevant parameters to improve outcomes. METHODS Growth velocity and final height were studied in a historical cohort of 41 girls, regularly followed up for hormone distribution at three referral centers. The influence of oxandrolone and of estrogens on the final height was analyzed. The girls (initial chronological age=8.9+/-3.4years; initial bone age=7.0+/-3.1years) used 0.19 mg/kg/week of growth hormone for 4.0 +/- 2.0 years. RESULTS In the first year, growth velocity increased by 71.5% in 41 girls and 103.4% in those who reached final height (11 girls). The whole group had a gain in the height SDS of 0.8 +/- 0.7 (p<0.01) and for those who reached a final height of 1.0 +/- 0.8 (p<0.01). Final height (143.6 +/-6.3 cm) was 3.9 +/- 5.3 cm higher than the predicted height, and the height gain occurred before estrogen therapy. Oxandrolone had no significant influence on height gain. The significant variables contributing to the final height were the duration of growth hormone used and its use prior to starting estrogens, the initial height SDS, and the growth velocity during the first year of treatment. CONCLUSIONS We concluded that the use of growth hormone significantly increased the final height, which remained lower than the target. Results point to a need for starting growth hormone use as early as possible and to maximize treatment before estrogen replacement. It has been observed that even moderate doses of growth hormone may significantly increase early growth velocity.