Final Height in Girls with Turner Syndrome after Growth Hormone Treatment; Experience at National Children’s Hospital

Abstract

Twenty-four patients with Turner syndrome were treated with human growth hormone (GH) and reached their final height. Mean age was 11.7 years and mean height SDS was 0.28 SD for Japanese Turner standard at the start of GH treatment. Mean duration of GH treatment was 6.6 years and mean age at discontinuation of GH treatment was 18.6 years. Final height of all the patients was 146.9 ± 4.2 cm (140.5∼153.9 cm). Since predicted adult height (PAH) was 139.4 ± 5.8 cm (131.8∼155.0 cm), the benefit from growth-promoting therapy (final height - PAH) was 7.5 ± 4.6 cm (-1.4∼+15.2 cm). The final height in 10 patients (42%) exceeded the -2.0 SD value (147.9 cm) for normal girls. It can be concluded that the adult height in Turner syndrome was improved by GH treatment. However, final height was improved by starting pubertal induction later in addition to GH treatment in Japan. Early diagnosis and initiation of treatment with a higher dose of GH is important for adequate pubertal induction and final height.