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

BACKGROUND

pubertal delay and growth retardation are common in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

OBJECTIVE

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).

CONCLUSIONS

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.