Effect of testosterone therapy for delayed growth and puberty in boys with inflammatory bowel disease.

摘要

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.