Use of aromatase inhibitors in children with short stature.
Estrogen has been shown to have an important role in skeletal maturation in both males and females. The use of aromatase inhibitors may provide a means to delay skeletal maturation and increase final height in children with short stature. These medications have been used primarily in women with breast carcinoma and also in children with autonomous estrogen production, such as patients with McCune-Albright Syndrome. Several studies have evaluated the safety and metabolic effects in adults. A few studies in children have evaluated the efficacy and safety of these medications. These studies demonstrate a beneficial effect on bone age advancement and predicted adult height. Other studies have evaluated the effects on bone mineral density, lipid metabolism and adrenal function in children. This review summarizes the studies in the pediatric population and some of the metabolic effects in adults.
Cernich
Joseph
J
Section of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics and the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, USA. jcernich@cmh.edu
Jacobson
Jill D
JD
Moore
Wayne V
WV
Popovic
Jadranka
J
D000328:Adult; D000616:Aminoglutethimide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects*; D002648:Child; D004967:Estrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077289:Letrozole; D008297:Male; D009141:Musculoskeletal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009570:Nitriles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014230:Triazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use
D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D004967:Estrogens; D009570:Nitriles; D014230:Triazoles; D000616:Aminoglutethimide; D000735:Androstenedione; D000077289:Letrozole; C014594:formestane