Novel approaches to short stature therapy

Publication date: Available online 7 February 2015 Source:Best Practice & Research Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism Author(s): Jan M. Wit , Wilma Oostdijk Besides growth hormone, several pharmaceutical products have been investigated for efficacy and safety in increasing short term growth or adult height. Short-term treatment with testosterone esters in boys with constitutional delay of growth and puberty is efficacious in generating secondary sex characteristics and growth acceleration. The addition of oxandrolone to growth hormone (GH) in Turner syndrome has an additive effect on adult height gain. Treatment with GnRH analogues is the established treatment of central precocious puberty, and its addition to GH therapy appears effective in increasing adult height in GH deficient children, and possibly short children born SGA or with SHOX deficiency, who are still short at pubertal onset. Aromatase inhibitors appear effective in several rare disorders, but their value in increasing adult height in early pubertal boys with GH deficiency or idiopathic short stature is uncertain. A trial with a C-natriuretic peptide analogue offers hope for children with achondroplasia.

Source: Best Practice and Research Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism - February 7, 2015 Category: Endocrinology Source Type: research