Effect of Oestrogen Therapy on the Final Height ofGirls with a Constitutionally Tall Stature - Risk orBenefit?

Overview

Objective:
Investigation of the effect of a long-term oestrogen treatment on the growth and deve-lopment of children, elaboration of a theoretical model for remaining growth of girls on a long-term oestrogen therapy predicting reduction of the final height in girls with constitutionally tallstature, analysis of early and late side-effects of therapy.Type of study: Open clinical study.Name and place of department: Endocrine out-patient clinic of the Second Paediatric Departmentand gynaecological out-patient clinic for children and adolescents of the Gynaecological-Obstet-ric Department, Second Medical School – Charles University and University Hospital Prague –Motol.Method: Elaboration of theoretical model for remaining growth of girls on a long-term oestrogentherapy was based on an analysis of the remaining growth of upper and lower body segment ofhealthy Czech girls.Results: The extent of assumed reduction of the final height in girls with constitutionally tallstature treated with oestrogen declines with advancing age at the onset of treatment. The optimalage for the onset of treatment is between 10 and 11 years.Conclusion: Treatment can be recommended only in girls with growth prediction above 185 cmand serious psychological difficulties resulting from excessive height, always after careful analy-sis of the biological development and growth prediction. In every case it is necessary to evaluate the possible benefit of treatment in relation to potential risks. The greatest problem is accordingto the authors late onset and overrating of the therapeutic possibilities.

Key words:
constitutionally tall stature, oestrogen, remaining growth, growth prediction, reducti-on of final height.