Adult height in Turner syndrome with and without androgen therapy

Adult heights of 66 individuals with karyotype documentation of Turner syndrome were analyzed. The mean adult height of 29 individuals given growth-promoting hormones, oxandrolone or fluoxymesterone, did not differ significantly from that of 37 untreated subjects (148.1 +/- 4.7 vs 146.3 +/- 5.5 cm, respectively). The type of X chromosome abnormality did not influence the mean adult height. No significant deleterious effect on height was seen with earlier induction of puberty with estrogens. Parental heights did not appear to influence final adult height. Based on this study, the use of androgens to increase adult height in Turner syndrome cannot be recommended and there appears to be no benefit in delaying induction of puberty with exogenous hormones beyond the mid-teens (14 to 16 years).