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Effect of testosterone therapy for delayed growth and puberty in boys with inflammatory bowel disease
A Mason1, S C Wong, P McGrogan
1Developmental Endocrinology Research Group, University of Glasgow, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow, UK.
Insights
Testosterone therapy effectively addresses pubertal delay and growth issues in boys with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Most patients experienced improved pubertal status and enhanced height velocity after treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology
- Adolescent Medicine
Background:
- Children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) frequently experience delayed puberty and growth retardation.
- Understanding the impact of IBD on adolescent development is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate pubertal status and growth in boys with IBD receiving testosterone therapy for pubertal induction.
- Assessing the efficacy of testosterone in mitigating IBD-related growth and pubertal delays.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of 8 boys with IBD undergoing testosterone therapy.
- Measurements included height, weight, and pubertal status before and after treatment.
- Height velocity (HV) changes and disease activity markers were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Seven out of eight boys showed an advancement in pubertal status.
- Six boys experienced a significant increase in height velocity (HV) (p = 0.005).
- Higher C-reactive protein levels correlated with lower HV during therapy (r = -0.786, p = 0.021).
Conclusions:
- Testosterone therapy is generally associated with improved pubertal status in boys with IBD.
- The treatment demonstrates a positive impact on growth, with significant increases in height velocity.
- Monitoring disease activity is important, as it may influence treatment response.
Background:
pubertal delay and growth retardation are common in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Aims:
To assess pubertal status and growth in a group of boys with IBD undergoing testosterone therapy for pubertal induction.
Methods:
retrospective study of height, weight and pubertal status in 8 boys with IBD before and after testosterone therapy. Height velocity (HV) over the 6 months before each assessment was converted to standard deviation score. Markers of disease activity and concomitant medication were recorded. Response was based on an advance in pubertal status and a greater than 50% increase in HV.
Results:
eight boys with IBD, median age 14.8 years, had pubertal induction using either monthly injections of 50 mg Sustanon or daily 2.5/5 mg Andropatch. Seven boys showed an advance of pubertal status. Six boys had a greater than 50% increase in HV; median HV at T0 was 1.6 cm/year (0, 5) compared with 6.9 cm/year (1, 11.7) at T6 (p = 0.005). C-reactive protein during testosterone therapy had a significant association with HV at T6 (r = -0.786; p = 0.021).
Conclusion:
in most cases, testosterone therapy in boys with IBD and delayed growth and puberty is associated with an advance in pubertal status and an improvement in growth.
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