Delayed pubertal growth spurt and normal adult height attainment in boys receiving long-term alternate-day prednisone therapy.
Statural growth to age > or = 20 years was studied in 10 boys with glomerulonephritis who received alternate-day prednisone (mean 1.2 mg/kg) for at least 2 consecutive years during pubertal age. Peak growth velocity was delayed after age 15 years in six patients and it was less than 7 cm/year in five. However, after age 16, growth velocity was significantly (p = 0.02) higher than expected and allowed patients to ultimately reach their genetic height potential.
Polito
C
C
Department of Pediatrics, Second University of Naples, Italy.
La Manna
A
A
Papale
M R
MR
Villani
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001827:Body Height; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011241:Prednisone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011627:Puberty; D012737:Sex Factors
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D011241:Prednisone