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Testosterone esters advance skeletal maturation more than growth in short boys with chronic renal failure and delayed puberty

  • Nephrology/Urology
  • Published:
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Abstract

Four young males with chronic renal failure and absent or stagnant puberty were treated with testosterone esters. Endocrine evaluation before therapy showed low plasma follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels and relatively high luteinizing hormone (LH). Following therapy skeletal maturation accelerated more than growth velocity, resulting in a lower predicted adult height. In three patients osteoporosis increased or rickets developed. Testosterone therapy was effective in developing sex characteristics, but endogenous pubertal development was not stimulated. Growth velocity was increased, but the effect on growth was more than outweighed by bone age acceleration.

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Abbreviations

CAPD:

continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

FSH:

follicle stimulating hormone

GH:

growth hormone

IGF-1:

insulin-like growth factor-1

LH:

luteinizing hormone

LHRH:

luteinizing hormone releasing hormone

PRL:

prolactin

SDSBA:

standard deviation score for bone age

SDSCA:

standard deviation score for chronological age

SHBG:

sex hormone binding globulin

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Nephrology, University Hospital for Children and Youth, “Het Wilnelmina Kinderziekenhuis”, University of Utrecht, P. O. Box 18009, NL-3501 CA, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    M. W. Van Steenbergen & R. A. M. G. Donckerwolcke

  2. Division of Endocrinology, Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital for Children and Youth, “Het Wilnelmina Kinderziekenhuis”, University of Utrecht, P. O. Box 18009, NL-3501 CA, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    J. M. Wit

Authors
  1. M. W. Van Steenbergen
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  2. J. M. Wit
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  3. R. A. M. G. Donckerwolcke
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Van Steenbergen, M.W., Wit, J.M. & Donckerwolcke, R.A.M.G. Testosterone esters advance skeletal maturation more than growth in short boys with chronic renal failure and delayed puberty. Eur J Pediatr 150, 676–680 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02072633

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02072633

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