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The effect of letrozole on bone age progression, predicted adult height, and adrenal gland function

Alexander Karmazin1, Wayne V Moore, Jadranka Popovic

  • 1Section of Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Mercy Hospitals, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA.

Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism : JPEM
|April 9, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor, effectively delays bone age advancement in adolescent males, significantly increasing predicted adult height. However, it may cause mild adrenal suppression.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Bone Metabolism
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Advancing skeletal maturation limits growth potential in pediatric endocrinology.
  • Aromatase inhibitors are explored for managing growth disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the efficacy of letrozole in delaying bone age advancement in adolescent males with limited growth potential.
  • To assess the impact of letrozole on predicted adult height and adrenal function.

Main Methods:

  • A study involving 24 adolescent males with limited growth potential.
  • Treatment with letrozole, with a subgroup also receiving androgen therapy.
  • Low-dose ACTH stimulation tests to evaluate adrenal gland function.

Main Results:

  • Letrozole significantly decelerated bone age progression (p <0.0005).
  • Predicted adult height standard deviation scores (SDS) increased significantly (p <0.0005).
  • Mild adrenal suppression was observed in approximately one-fourth of patients.

Conclusions:

  • Letrozole is effective in decelerating skeletal maturation, leading to improved predicted adult height in adolescent males.
  • Letrozole treatment is associated with mild adrenal suppression.

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