Why Treat girls with Turner Syndrome with Growth Hormone? Growth and Beyond

Turner Syndrome (TS) is a rare disorder, characterized by numerous signs and symptoms, which are also highly variable in their expression in individuals. The understanding of the genetic basis of the phenotype has advanced greatly during the past decades. The most consistent features, which negatively affect the quality of life in these individuals, are short stature and impaired gonadal function. After recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) became available and was shown to improve height, it was then approved and has been used widely. Yet it remains a challenge to decide on the optimal treatment modality for individuals with TS and to evaluate the benefits and risks also in terms of karyotype of GH on growth and on other organ systems. This article reviews some of the major aspects related to these issues.