Testosterone esters advance skeletal maturation more than growth in short boys with chronic renal failure and delayed puberty.
Four young males with chronic renal failure and absent or stagnant puberty were treated with testosterone esters. Endocrine evaluation before therapy showed low plasma follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels and relatively high luteinizing hormone (LH). Following therapy skeletal maturation accelerated more than growth velocity, resulting in a lower predicted adult height. In three patients osteoporosis increased or rickets developed. Testosterone therapy was effective in developing sex characteristics, but endogenous pubertal development was not stimulated. Growth velocity was increased, but the effect on growth was more than outweighed by bone age acceleration.
Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital for Children and Youth, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands.
M W
MW
Van Steenbergen
J M
JM
Wit
R A
RA
Donckerwolcke
D000328:Adult; D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects; D001846:Bone Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000187:drug effects; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D011628:Puberty, Delayed / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D013739:Testosterone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I