Effects of growth reduction therapy using high-dose 17beta-estradiol in 26 constitutionally tall girls.

OBJECTIVE The efficacy and safety of height-limiting therapy with high-dose 17beta-oestradiol in girls with constitutionally tall stature (CTS) are controversial. We evaluated the effectiveness of high-dose 17beta-oestradiol in premenarchal girls with CTS treated until their bone age reached 14 years. DESIGN We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of the girls managed between 1989 and 2000 with high-dose 17beta-estradiol for CTS with a predicted final height greater than +3SDs. PATIENTS Twenty-six girls met our inclusion criteria. At baseline, mean chronological age was 12.06 +/- 1.51 years and mean height was 171.1 +/- 6.5 cm with a height standard deviation score of 4.5 +/- 0.24, and mean predicted final height was 183.0 +/- 4.2 cm. Treatment was stopped when bone age reached 14 years; mean treatment duration was 1.62 +/- 0.76 years. MEASUREMENTS The following were obtained at 6-month intervals: height, body weight, Tanner stage, bone age, plasma cholesterol and triglycerides, plasma glucose and side effects. A mailed questionnaire on final height and satisfaction was sent 2 years after treatment discontinuation (response rate, 24/26). Results Final height was significantly (P < 0.001) reduced, by 2.4 +/- 3.2 cm, as compared to predictions. High-dose 17beta-estradiol therapy decreased growth velocity and significantly increased skeletal maturation (P < 0.001). Linear growth after treatment discontinuation was 3.3 +/- 1.9 cm. No serious side effects were recorded. Most of the patients were satisfied with the treatment. CONCLUSION High-dose 17beta-estradiol was moderately effective in reducing final height and should probably be reserved for selected patients, particularly as knowledge on potential long-term side effects is lacking.