Oxandrolone for delayed puberty in boys taking long-term steroid therapy for renal disease.
Eleven boys, mean age 15.3 years (range 13.2-17.5), with pubertal delay in association with steroid therapy for steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome and following renal transplantation were treated with oxandrolone 2.5 mg daily for a mean of 0.50 years (range 0.34-0.61). Mean growth velocity increased from 3.9 cm/year (range 1.1-6.3) to 6.1 cm/year (range 2.0-14.4) and was maintained at 6.1 cm/year (range 0.4-10.2) (P less than 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in growth between the treated boys and age- and puberty-matched controls. Elevation of blood cyclosporin A and creatinine levels occurred in the transplant patients. Oxandrolone may initiate a pubertal growth spurt in patients taking steroid therapy for renal disease, but should be used with extreme caution because of potential side-effects.
Division of Paediatrics, United Medical School Guy's Hospital, London, UK.
L
L
Rees
S A
SA
Greene
S P
SP
Rigden
G B
GB
Haycock
C
C
Chantler
M A
MA
Preece
D000293:Adolescent; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D003524:Cyclosporins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D009404:Nephrotic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D010074:Oxandrolone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011628:Puberty, Delayed / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D013256:Steroids / Q000009:adverse effects*
D003524:Cyclosporins; D013256:Steroids; D010074:Oxandrolone; D003404:Creatinine