Adult height in sixty girls with Turner syndrome treated with growth hormone matched with an untreated group

The main clinical feature of Turner syndrome (TS) is growth failure, with a mean spontaneous adult height ranging between 136 and 147 cm, according to the specific curves of various populations. Though a classical deficiency of GH has not been generally demonstrated, GH has been administered since 1980 in trials, using replacement doses just initially, with a subsequent trend to increase it. We report the outcome of GH therapy given at the fixed dose of 0.33 mg/kg/week in 60 TS girls observed until adult height; 59 untreated TS girls, matched for auxological, karyotypical characteristics and time of observation, born within the same decade served as controls to evaluate GH efficacy. The calculation of the gain in cm over PAH was performed on specific Italian Turner curves, as well as height evaluation as SD score and growth velocity. The same calculations were made using Lyon references and Tanner standards. The mean CA at the beginning of GH treatment was 10.9 +/- 2.76 yr (range 4.5-15.9). Mean adult height of treated group was 151 +/- 6.1 cm with a gain over the PAH calculated at start of therapy (142.9 +/- 5.3 cm) of 8.2 +/- 3.9 cm. Ns change was observed between the PAH at first observation (143.6 +/- 7.0 cm) and adult height (144.3 +/- 5.6 cm) in the control group. Treatment was well tolerated, no relevant side effects were observed, glucose metabolism resulted no more affected than in untreated subjects, IGF-I levels remained within 2 SD. Our results in 60 TS girls, though the dose remained unchanged throughout the treatment, show a good response, characterized by a striking variability in each patient (mean gain in cm over PAH at adult height of 8.17 +/- 3.9, range 3-21 cm), and significant also in comparison with the control group. As the chronological age at start of therapy ranged between 4.5 to 15.9 yr, the results were further evaluated dividing the patients into two groups, according to the age, < or >11 yr. Thirty girls were <11 yr (mean 8.7 +/- 1.76 yr) and 30 were >11 yr (mean 13.2 +/- 1.4 yr). The gain in cm over the PAH in each group was, respectively, 8.1 +/- 3.4 and 8.2 +/- 4.3 cm without any significant difference between the two groups, showing no negative correlation between the CA at the beginning of GH and the response to treatment.     

Influence of spontaneous or induced puberty on the growth promoting effect of treatment with growth hormone in girls with Turner's syndrome

OBJECTIVE The aim was to evaluate the effect of 3 years treatment with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on height velocity and height in girls with Turner's syndrome (TS) and to study to influence of spontaneous or induced puberty on the growth promoting effect of rhGH. PATIENTS AND DESIGN The investigation was performed in 36 girls with Turner's syndrome treated for 3 years with rhGH in a dose of 1 IU/kg week, administered as daily subcutaneous injections. Fifteen patients remained prepubertal throughout the observation period (Group 1). During the first 2 years of rhGH therapy, four girls developed puberty spontaneously (Group 2). During the 3rd year of rhGH treatment puberty was induced with 100 ng/kg day ethinyl oestradlol orally in 17 girls requesting pubertal development and with a bone age of at least 11‘years' (Group 3). RESULTS During the first year of rhGH therapy height velocity increased significantly in all patients. Mean ± SD height velocity was higher in the four patients with Turner's syndrome who developed spontaneous puberty than in 17 age-matched girls with Turner's syndrome without puberty (8.9 ± 1.2 vs 7.4 ± 12 cm/year; P < 0.05). During the second and third year of rhGH treatment height velocity decreased in all patients but remained above baseline levels. The induction of puberty with 100 ng/kg day ethinyl oestradlol in the patients of Group 3 did not lead to an acceleration of height velocity, but seemed in contrast to decelerate height velocity. After 3 years of rhGH treatment, 21 out of 36 patients have obtained a height at or above the initially calculated projected adult height and five girls are already taller than 150 cm. CONCLUSIONS The onset of spontaneous puberty during the first years of rhGH treatment seems to have an additive effect to rhGH on height velocity. Induction of puberty with oral administration of 100 ng/kg day ethinyl oestradiol did not have any beneficial effect on height velocity and seems therefore not to be the optimal way to induce puberty with an adequate pubertal growth spurt in girls with Turner's syndrome under rhGH therapy. Different doses and routes of oestrogen administration have to be evaluated in order to mimic the growth promoting effect of spontaneous puberty as well as possible.     

促性腺激素释放激素类似物治疗改善真性性早熟女孩成年身高

目的观察促性腺激素释放激素类似物(GnRHa)治疗中枢性性早熟(CPP)在改善成年身高方面的疗效。方法比较30例经GnRHa治疗并已达接近成年身高(FAH)的CPP女孩治疗开始和结束时的预测成年身高(PAH1和PAH2)、遗传靶身高(THt)和FAH,判断GnRHa的疗效,并分析其影响因素。结果PAH2[(155.2±5.7)cm]显著高于PAH1[(150.7±5.4)cm](P<0.01),PAH2、THt [(155.5±4.0)cm]和FAH[(155.7±4.9)cm]的差异无统计学意义;治疗开始的年龄和按THt的PAH标准差分值以及GnRHa疗程是影响GnRHa疗效的3个因素。结论GnRHa能有效改善CPP女孩的成年身高,成年身高的改善主要决定于治疗开始时的年龄和预测成年身高相对于遗传靶身高的损失以及GnRHa的疗程。     

Adult height in girls with central precocious puberty treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues and growth hormone

GnRH analogues (GnRHa) represent the treatment of choice in central precocious puberty (CPP), because arresting pubertal development and reducing either growth velocity (GV) or bone maturation (BA) should improve adult height. However, in some patients, GV decrease is so remarkable that it impairs predicted adult height (PAH); and therefore, the addition of GH is suggested. Out of twenty subjects with idiopathic CPP (treated with GnRHa depot-triptorelin, at a dose of 100 microg/kg im every 21 days, for at least 2-3 yr), whose GV fall below the 25th percentile for chronological age, 10 received, in addition to GnRHa, GH at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg x week s.c., 6 days weekly, for 2-4 yr; and 10 matched for BA, chronological age, and duration of GnRHa treatment, who showed the same growth pattern but refused GH treatment, served to evaluate the efficacy of GH addition. No patient showed classical GH deficiency. Both groups discontinued treatment at a comparable BA (mean +/- SEM): 13.2 +/- 0.2 in GnRHa plus GH vs. 13.0 +/- 0.1 yr in the control group. At the conclusion of the study, all the patients had achieved adult height. Adult height was considered to be attained when the growth during the preceding year was less than 1 cm, with a BA of over 15 yr. Patients of the group treated with GH plus GnRHa showed an adult height significantly higher (P < 0.001) than pretreatment PAH (160.6 +/- 1.3 vs. 152.7 +/- 1.7 cm). Target height (TH) was significantly exceeded. The group treated with GnRH alone reached an adult height not significantly higher than pretreatment PAH (157.1 +/- 2.5 vs. 155.5 +/- 1.9 cm). TH was just reached but not significantly exceeded. The gain in centimeters obtained, calculated between pretreatment PAH and final height, was 7.9 +/- 1.1 cm in patients treated with GH combined with GnRHa; whereas in patients treated with GnRHa alone, the gain was just 1.6 +/- 1.2 cm (P = 0.001). Furthermore, no side effects have been observed either on bone age progression or ovarian cyst appearance and the gynecological follow-up in the GH-treated patients (in comparison with those treated with GnRHa alone). In conclusion, a gain of 7.9 cm in adult height represents a significant improvement, which justifies the addition of GH for 2-3 yr during the conventional treatment with GnRHa, especially in patients with CPP, and a decrease in GV so marked as to impair PAH, not allowing it to reach even the third centile.     

Gonadotropin-suppressive therapy in girls with early and fast puberty affects the pace of puberty but not total pubertal growth or final height

Early and fast puberty (EFP) in girls, defined as pubertal onset at age 8-9 yr, with an accelerated course, may cause compromised final height (FHt) and psychosocial distress. Treatment with a gonadotropin-suppressive agent is controversial, because the improvement in FHt is equivocal and there may be risk of obesity. We analyzed the data of 126 girls with EFP: 63 treated with GnRH analog (GnRHA) since Tanner stage 3, for 2-4 yr; and 63 untreated. Age at onset of puberty; accelerated time of transition from Tanner stage 2 to 3 (<1.3 yr); and clinical, hormonal and sonographic findings were similar in the 2 groups. The girls given GnRHA treatment had a significantly prolonged pubertal course, compared with the accelerated course in the untreated girls (4.7 +/- 0.4 vs. 2.45 +/- 0.4 yr, P < 0.001). After therapy, they reached Tanner stages 4 and 5 and FHt at a significantly older age than the untreated group (P < 0.001), and their menarche was delayed (12.8 +/- 0.6 vs. 10.8 +/- 0.5 yr, P < 0.001). However, the different pace of puberty in the 2 groups did not change the total pubertal growth and the bone maturation rate. The Ht gain from Tanner stage 3 to 4 (10.4 +/- 2.7 vs. 11.2 +/- 3.1 cm) and from Tanner stage 4 to FHt (8.2 +/- 2.7 vs. 8.8 +/- 3.6 cm) was similar in the treated and untreated girls, as were absolute Ht and bone age at each pubertal stage. The weight gain of the treated girls was more pronounced during treatment (P = 0.0016), but it was arrested after discontinuation of therapy; and by the time FHt was reached, the body mass index was similar in the 2 groups. The treated and untreated girls achieved a similar mean FHt, which was not significantly different from their respective mean target Ht (THt). Individual analysis revealed that 70% of the treated girls and 67% of the untreated girls attained their THt range (THt +/- 0.5 SD) or surpassed it. In conclusion, treatment with GnRHA affected only the pace of EFP. The similar Ht gain and bone maturation rate at each pubertal stage in the treated and untreated girls may suggest that the total pubertal growth is not dependent on pubertal duration and pace and is probably determined already at the onset of the normal pubertal development. The treatment did not compromise the FHt and did not cause long-lasting obesity. Therefore, GnRHA therapy may be suggested for use in girls who have psychosocial difficulties in coping with EFP.     

GnRHa治疗对中枢性性早熟女孩线性生长和成年身高的影响

对82例中枢性性早熟(CPP)女童使用促性腺激素释放激素类似物(GnRHa)治疗后线性生长及终身高进行评价.治疗两年以上患者的第2年生长速度与其治疗第2年和第1年的骨龄差值呈正相关(P<0.01).治疗后按骨龄的身高标准差分值增大,预测成人身高提高.随访26例达终身高患者,平均靶身高高于遗传靶身高.故适量的GnRHa治疗辅以有氧运动能够有效地改善CPP女童生长速度及终身高.     

GnRHa治疗对中枢性性早熟女孩线性生长和成年身高的影响

对82例中枢性性早熟(CPP)女童使用促性腺激素释放激素类似物(GnRHa)治疗后线性生长及终身高进行评价.治疗两年以上患者的第2年生长速度与其治疗第2年和第1年的骨龄差值呈正相关(P<0.01).治疗后按骨龄的身高标准差分值增大,预测成人身高提高.随访26例达终身高患者,平均靶身高高于遗传靶身高.故适量的GnRHa治疗辅以有氧运动能够有效地改善CPP女童生长速度及终身高.     

GnRHa治疗对中枢性性早熟女孩线性生长和成年身高的影响

对82例中枢性性早熟(CPP)女童使用促性腺激素释放激素类似物(GnRHa)治疗后线性生长及终身高进行评价.治疗两年以上患者的第2年生长速度与其治疗第2年和第1年的骨龄差值呈正相关(P<0.01).治疗后按骨龄的身高标准差分值增大,预测成人身高提高.随访26例达终身高患者,平均靶身高高于遗传靶身高.故适量的GnRHa治疗辅以有氧运动能够有效地改善CPP女童生长速度及终身高.     

GnRHa治疗对中枢性性早熟女孩线性生长和成年身高的影响

对82例中枢性性早熟(CPP)女童使用促性腺激素释放激素类似物(GnRHa)治疗后线性生长及终身高进行评价.治疗两年以上患者的第2年生长速度与其治疗第2年和第1年的骨龄差值呈正相关(P<0.01).治疗后按骨龄的身高标准差分值增大,预测成人身高提高.随访26例达终身高患者,平均靶身高高于遗传靶身高.故适量的GnRHa治疗辅以有氧运动能够有效地改善CPP女童生长速度及终身高.     

GnRHa治疗对中枢性性早熟女孩线性生长和成年身高的影响

对82例中枢性性早熟(CPP)女童使用促性腺激素释放激素类似物(GnRHa)治疗后线性生长及终身高进行评价.治疗两年以上患者的第2年生长速度与其治疗第2年和第1年的骨龄差值呈正相关(P<0.01).治疗后按骨龄的身高标准差分值增大,预测成人身高提高.随访26例达终身高患者,平均靶身高高于遗传靶身高.故适量的GnRHa治疗辅以有氧运动能够有效地改善CPP女童生长速度及终身高.     

GnRHa治疗对中枢性性早熟女孩线性生长和成年身高的影响

对82例中枢性性早熟(CPP)女童使用促性腺激素释放激素类似物(GnRHa)治疗后线性生长及终身高进行评价.治疗两年以上患者的第2年生长速度与其治疗第2年和第1年的骨龄差值呈正相关(P<0.01).治疗后按骨龄的身高标准差分值增大,预测成人身高提高.随访26例达终身高患者,平均靶身高高于遗传靶身高.故适量的GnRHa治疗辅以有氧运动能够有效地改善CPP女童生长速度及终身高.     

GnRHa治疗对中枢性性早熟女孩线性生长和成年身高的影响

对82例中枢性性早熟(CPP)女童使用促性腺激素释放激素类似物(GnRHa)治疗后线性生长及终身高进行评价.治疗两年以上患者的第2年生长速度与其治疗第2年和第1年的骨龄差值呈正相关(P<0.01).治疗后按骨龄的身高标准差分值增大,预测成人身高提高.随访26例达终身高患者,平均靶身高高于遗传靶身高.故适量的GnRHa治疗辅以有氧运动能够有效地改善CPP女童生长速度及终身高.     

GnRHa治疗对中枢性性早熟女孩线性生长和成年身高的影响

对82例中枢性性早熟(CPP)女童使用促性腺激素释放激素类似物(GnRHa)治疗后线性生长及终身高进行评价.治疗两年以上患者的第2年生长速度与其治疗第2年和第1年的骨龄差值呈正相关(P<0.01).治疗后按骨龄的身高标准差分值增大,预测成人身高提高.随访26例达终身高患者,平均靶身高高于遗传靶身高.故适量的GnRHa治疗辅以有氧运动能够有效地改善CPP女童生长速度及终身高.     

GnRHa治疗对中枢性性早熟女孩线性生长和成年身高的影响

对82例中枢性性早熟(CPP)女童使用促性腺激素释放激素类似物(GnRHa)治疗后线性生长及终身高进行评价.治疗两年以上患者的第2年生长速度与其治疗第2年和第1年的骨龄差值呈正相关(P<0.01).治疗后按骨龄的身高标准差分值增大,预测成人身高提高.随访26例达终身高患者,平均靶身高高于遗传靶身高.故适量的GnRHa治疗辅以有氧运动能够有效地改善CPP女童生长速度及终身高.     

GnRHa治疗对中枢性性早熟女孩线性生长和成年身高的影响

对82例中枢性性早熟(CPP)女童使用促性腺激素释放激素类似物(GnRHa)治疗后线性生长及终身高进行评价.治疗两年以上患者的第2年生长速度与其治疗第2年和第1年的骨龄差值呈正相关(P<0.01).治疗后按骨龄的身高标准差分值增大,预测成人身高提高.随访26例达终身高患者,平均靶身高高于遗传靶身高.故适量的GnRHa治疗辅以有氧运动能够有效地改善CPP女童生长速度及终身高.     

GnRHa治疗对中枢性性早熟女孩线性生长和成年身高的影响

对82例中枢性性早熟(CPP)女童使用促性腺激素释放激素类似物(GnRHa)治疗后线性生长及终身高进行评价.治疗两年以上患者的第2年生长速度与其治疗第2年和第1年的骨龄差值呈正相关(P<0.01).治疗后按骨龄的身高标准差分值增大,预测成人身高提高.随访26例达终身高患者,平均靶身高高于遗传靶身高.故适量的GnRHa治疗辅以有氧运动能够有效地改善CPP女童生长速度及终身高.     

生长激素对于GnRHa治疗中生长过度减速的特发性中枢性性早熟女孩的远期疗效观察

Objective To evaluate the long-term final adult height outcome of combined treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue(GnRHa)and recombinant human growth hormone(rhGH)in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty(ICPP).Methods Out of 49 sirls with ICPP[treated with GnRHa at a dose of 60-80 μg/kg every 4 weeks for at least 6 months,whose height velocity fell below 4 cm/year and showed no improvement of predicted adult height(PAH)in 6 months],26 received(rhGH-combined group),in addition to chronological age,and duration of GnRHa treatment,who showed the same growth pattern but refused rhGH treatment,served to evaluate the efficacy of rhGH in addition.At the conclusion of the smdy,all the girls had been followed up for(3.3±1.9)years,and(3.2±0.9)years in rhGH-combined group and control group,respectively;and had achieved adult heisht.To compare the PAH with the final adult height(FAH)before and after treatment in the two groups.Results During rhGH treatment, height velocity of the rhGH-combined girls increased significantly[(6.7±2.0 vs <4)cm/year baseline],RhGH-combined gids showed an adult height far higher than pretreatment PAH [(157.5±4.5 vs 148.1±4.6)cm,P<0.01],and target height[(154.4±4.6)cm] was,significantly excceded.The control group reached an adult heisht also significandy higher than pretreatment PAH[(154.7±5.5vs 150.3±6.0)cm,P<0.01],while target height[(155.6±4.3)cm]was just reached but not significantlyexcceded.The gain in height obtained,calculated between pretreatment PAH and final heisat,(9.4±4.9)cm in rhGH-combined group was much more than that(4.3±4.2)cm in the control group(P<0.01).Conclusion RhGH may accelerate the linear growth and improve adult height of GnRHa-treated ICPP girls.     

生长激素对于GnRHa治疗中生长过度减速的特发性中枢性性早熟女孩的远期疗效观察

目的 观察重组人生长激素(rhGH)对于促性腺激素释放激素类似物(GnRHa)治疗中生长过度减速的特发性中枢性性早熟(ICPP)女孩的最终成年身高(FAH)的影响.方法 49例ICPP女孩接受GnRHa治疗,当身高增长速度减慢至4 cm/年以下时,其中26例联用rhGH治疗为联合治疗组,23例拒绝加用rhGH但继续使用GnRHa为单用组.比较2组治疗前后的预测成年身高(PAH)和FAH.结果 联合治疗组联用rhGH前半年,身高增长速度均小于4 cm/年[(3.2±1.0)cm/年],PAH无明显改善[联用rhGH前半年和rhGH开始时PAH分别为(152.5±4.0)cm和(152.6±3.7)cm];联用rhGH(11.4±5.4)个月后,身高增长速度增加至(6.7±2.0)cm/年,PAH增加至治疗结束时的(157.1±4.7)cm(均P<0.01);FAH[(157.5±4.5)cm]显著高于GnRHa开始时的PAH[(148.1±4.6)cm]和遗传靶身高[(154.4±4.6)cm,均P<0.01].单用组治疗结束时的PAH[(153.9±6.3)cm]较拒绝联用rhGH时的PAH[(153.1±6.2)cm]无差异;FAH[(154.7±5.5)cm]高于治疗开始时的PAH[(150.3±6.0)cm,P<0.01],但与遗传靶身高[(155.6±4.3)cm]无差异.结论 联用rhGH能够显著加快GnRHa治疗中生长过度减速的ICPP女孩的身高增长速度,进一步改善PAH和FAH.

Abstract：

Objective To evaluate the long-term final adult height outcome of combined treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue(GnRHa)and recombinant human growth hormone(rhGH)in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty(ICPP).Methods Out of 49 sirls with ICPP[treated with GnRHa at a dose of 60-80 μg/kg every 4 weeks for at least 6 months,whose height velocity fell below 4 cm/year and showed no improvement of predicted adult height(PAH)in 6 months],26 received(rhGH-combined group),in addition to chronological age,and duration of GnRHa treatment,who showed the same growth pattern but refused rhGH treatment,served to evaluate the efficacy of rhGH in addition.At the conclusion of the smdy,all the girls had been followed up for(3.3±1.9)years,and(3.2±0.9)years in rhGH-combined group and control group,respectively;and had achieved adult heisht.To compare the PAH with the final adult height(FAH)before and after treatment in the two groups.Results During rhGH treatment, height velocity of the rhGH-combined girls increased significantly[(6.7±2.0 vs <4)cm/year baseline],RhGH-combined gids showed an adult height far higher than pretreatment PAH [(157.5±4.5 vs 148.1±4.6)cm,P<0.01],and target height[(154.4±4.6)cm] was,significantly excceded.The control group reached an adult heisht also significandy higher than pretreatment PAH[(154.7±5.5vs 150.3±6.0)cm,P<0.01],while target height[(155.6±4.3)cm]was just reached but not significantlyexcceded.The gain in height obtained,calculated between pretreatment PAH and final heisat,(9.4±4.9)cm in rhGH-combined group was much more than that(4.3±4.2)cm in the control group(P<0.01).Conclusion RhGH may accelerate the linear growth and improve adult height of GnRHa-treated ICPP girls.     

生长激素对于GnRHa治疗中生长过度减速的特发性中枢性性早熟女孩的远期疗效观察

Objective To evaluate the long-term final adult height outcome of combined treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue(GnRHa)and recombinant human growth hormone(rhGH)in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty(ICPP).Methods Out of 49 sirls with ICPP[treated with GnRHa at a dose of 60-80 μg/kg every 4 weeks for at least 6 months,whose height velocity fell below 4 cm/year and showed no improvement of predicted adult height(PAH)in 6 months],26 received(rhGH-combined group),in addition to chronological age,and duration of GnRHa treatment,who showed the same growth pattern but refused rhGH treatment,served to evaluate the efficacy of rhGH in addition.At the conclusion of the smdy,all the girls had been followed up for(3.3±1.9)years,and(3.2±0.9)years in rhGH-combined group and control group,respectively;and had achieved adult heisht.To compare the PAH with the final adult height(FAH)before and after treatment in the two groups.Results During rhGH treatment, height velocity of the rhGH-combined girls increased significantly[(6.7±2.0 vs <4)cm/year baseline],RhGH-combined gids showed an adult height far higher than pretreatment PAH [(157.5±4.5 vs 148.1±4.6)cm,P<0.01],and target height[(154.4±4.6)cm] was,significantly excceded.The control group reached an adult heisht also significandy higher than pretreatment PAH[(154.7±5.5vs 150.3±6.0)cm,P<0.01],while target height[(155.6±4.3)cm]was just reached but not significantlyexcceded.The gain in height obtained,calculated between pretreatment PAH and final heisat,(9.4±4.9)cm in rhGH-combined group was much more than that(4.3±4.2)cm in the control group(P<0.01).Conclusion RhGH may accelerate the linear growth and improve adult height of GnRHa-treated ICPP girls.