Oestrogen treatment of constitutional tall stature: a risk-benefit ratio
Centre
for Child Health, Clinic for Paediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism,
Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590
Frankfurt, Germany
Correspondence to: Dr Weimann.
Accepted 11 August 1997
Oestrogens are given in high doses for the treatment of tall
stature in girls. The aim of this study was to obtain data considering efficiency, side effects, and acceptance of the treatment of 50 constitutionally tall girls treated with conjugated oestrogens (7.5-11.25 mg/day). The mean (SD) adult height predictions were 188.3 (4.4) cm and the achieved height was 5.2 (3.3) cm less than the
predicted height. A greater reduction from final predicted height
occurred when treatment was started at an early bone age (<13.0 years)
and with a remaining growth potential of greater than 10 cm. Even
postmenarcheal girls, however, had a mean reduction of 4.8 (3.2) cm.
The main side effects were considerable weight gain (>10 kg), an
increase in triglyceride concentrations (37.5% of the patients), and
increased platelet aggregation (60% of the patients). Altogether
84.6% of the patients were satisfied with the treatment and 15.4%
regretted having had it.
© 1998 by Archives of Disease in Childhood
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