[Turner's syndrome: growth, endocrinological study and other aspects]

This was work was designed to analyze, in a group of patients with Turner's syndrome treated at our hospital, the following issues: 1. To follow the evolution of several common values of body growth from birth to adult life, as well as the influence of growth hormone therapy. 2. To determine the changes in gonadotrophins and alterations of the thyroid gland. 3. To define the relationship between the karyotype and the development of menarche.

Neonatal growth values were obtained from 32 patients. Body size before and after the treatment with growth hormone was determined in 20 cases. We determined the values of TSH/T41 and FSH/LH in 35 and 34 cases, respectively. In 34 patients older than 15 years and not treated with estrogens, we evaluated the relationship between the karyotype and the presence of menarche/amenorrhea.

Mean values of body length, weight and cranial perimeter were 477 mm, 2,877 g and 335 mm, respectively. These values were below those of the normal population, especially for those patients with a 45.X karyotype. The mean height for adult patients was 141.6 cm (range 133.3- 152 cm). After 2 years of treatment with growth hormone the growth velocity changed from -0.25 to +3.55 SD. We did not find pathological values for TSH or T4 (3.3 mU/l and 1.85 ng%, respectively). The LH and FSH values were higher in 64% and 88% of the patients, respectively. These differences were higher in patients older than 13 years, which showed values of 20 and 60 U/l. Twenty-three percent of the patients had the menarche and none were 45.X.

The early detection of Turner's syndrome permits the physician to follow these patients, improving their growth and their endocrinological control.