Improved final height in Turner's syndrome following growth-promoting treatment at a single centre

To examine the final height (FH) outcome of girls with Turner's syndrome (TS) treated at a single Scottish centre (Glasgow group), to compare it with an earlier national analysis (Scottish group) and to suggest reasons for any change.

Retrospective growth and treatment data for 29 Glasgow patients were compared with those of 26 Scottish patients.

Age at GH start (mean +/- SD) was 10.1 +/- 2.6 vs 12.1 +/- 1.7 y (p < 0.01) in the Glasgow versus Scottish groups, with overall duration of treatment 6.2 +/- 2.4 vs 3.7 +/- 1.1 y (p < 0.001) and years of GH treatment before pubertal induction 2.7 +/- 2.8 vs 0.3 +/- 0.8 y (p < 0.001), respectively. Pubertal induction was at a similar age: 12.7 +/- 1.8 vs 12.8 +/- 1.8 y (ns). FH was 151.1 +/- 4.6 cm in the Glasgow group compared with 142.6 +/- 5.6 cm in the Scottish group (p < 0.001), with FH - projected adult height (PAH) 5.7 +/- 4.6 cm vs 0.6 +/- 3.6 cm (p < 0.001), respectively. Univariate analysis of the Glasgow group's FH - PAH with a number of growth and treatment variables identified no statistically significant relationships.

This group's improved FH and FH - PAH, relative to an earlier sample, are attributed to the introduction of GH treatment from a younger age and for longer, overall and before pubertal induction. In addition, the authors believe that compliance with treatment has been enhanced by this single centre's dedicated Turner clinic and the efforts of its established "growth team". These data demonstrate that a favourable FH can be achieved using a safe and financially viable dose of GH, while inducing puberty at a "normal" age.