Abstract
Eleven boys, mean age 15.3 years (range 13.2–17.5), with pubertal delay in association with steroid therapy for steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome and following renal transplantation were treated with oxandrolone 2.5 mg daily for a mean of 0.50 years (range 0.34–0.61). Mean growth velocity increased from 3.9 cm/year (range 1.1–6.3) to 6.1 cm/year (range 2.0–14.4) and was maintained at 6.1 cm/year (range 0.4–10.2) (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in growth between the treated boys and age- and puberty-matched controls. Elevation of blood cyclosporin A and creatinine levels occurred in the transplant patients. Oxandrolone may initiate a pubertal growth spurt in patients taking steroid therapy for renal disease, but should be used with extreme caution because of potential side-effects.
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References
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Rees, L., Greene, S.A., Rigden, S.P.A. et al. Oxandrolone for delayed puberty in boys taking long-term steroid therapy for renal disease. Pediatr Nephrol 4, 160–162 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00858829
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00858829