Last update:
04-Jan-2001

Arch Hellen Med, 17(4), July-August 2000, 366-370

BRIEF REVIEW

Growth hormone therapy in patients with Turner syndrome
Current considerations and uncertainties

M.A. MAGIAKOU,¹ G.P. CHROUSOS^2
11st Department of Pediatrics,
²2nd Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece

Girls with Turner syndrome are short and the great majority of them achieve a suboptimal final height. Although these patients do not have growth hormone (GH) deficiency, those with the worst prognosis for final height may benefit from treatment with GH. The gain in final height varies from 0 to 10 cm with a modest average gain of between 4 and 7 cm. Since GH treatment is parenteral, of long duration, and expensive, considerable thought and commitment from the physician, the patient and her parents are required.

Key words: Final height, GH treatment, Turner syndrome.