Normalization of height in girls with Turner syndrome after long-term growth hormone treatment:: Results of a randomized dose-response trial

Short stature and ovarian failure are the main features in Turner syndrome (TS). To optimize GH and estrogen treatment, we studied 68 previously untreated girls with TS, age 2-11 yr, who were randomly assigned to one of three GH dosage groups: group A, 4 IU/m(2).day (approximate to 0.045 mg/kg.day); group B, first yr 4, thereafter 6 IU/m(2). day (approximate to 0.0675 mg/kg/day); group C, first yr 4, second yr 6, thereafter 8 IU/m(2).day (approximate to 0.090 mg/kg.day). In the first 4 yr of GH treatment, no estrogens for pubertal induction were given to the girls. Thereafter, girls started with 17 beta-estradiol (5 mu g/kg bw.day, orally) when they had reached the age of 12 yr. Subjects were followed up until attainment of adult height or until cessation of treatment because of satisfaction With the height achieved. Seven-year data of all girls were evaluated to compare the growth promoting effects of three GH dosages during childhood. After 7 yr, 85% of the girls had reached a height within the normal range for healthy Dutch girls. The 7-yr increment in height so-score was significantly higher in groups B and C than in group A. In addition, we evaluated the data of 32 of the 68 girls who had completed the trial after a mean duration of treatment of 7.3 yr (range, 5.0 - 8.75). Mean (SD) height was 158.8 cm (7.1), 161.0 cm (6.8), and 162.3 cm (6.1) in groups A, B, and C, respectively. The mean (SD) difference between predicted adult height before treatment and achieved height was 12.5 cm (2.1), 14.5 cm (4.0), and 16.0 cm (4.1) for groups A, B, and C, respectively, being significantly different between group A and group C. GH treatment was well tolerated in all three GH dosage groups. In conclusion, GH treatment starting in relatively young girls with TS results in normalization of height during childhood, as well as of adult height, in most of the individuals. With this GH and estrogen treatment regimen, most girls with TS can grow and develop much more in conformity with their healthy peers.