Constitutional delay in growth and puberty: a comparison of final height achieved between treated and untreated children

Abstract

Constitutional delay in growth and puberty (CDGP) is one of the principal causes of consultation due to short height. Frequently familial short stature is associated with the CDGP. The predicted final height is reached in the majority of the cases but some individuals do not achieve their target height. Poor growth, especially during the pubertal years, as well as a short or growth delayed mother are some of the negative factors for final outcome. Some prepubertal children show a transient diminished GH secretion that normalizes during puberty. Therapy with hGH or oxandrolone increases growth velocity but does not ameliorate final height. The psychosocial situation of the children is the most important condition to treat with testosterone, estrogens or oxandrolone. In view of the results hGH should not be administered routinely to these cases. It remains open which children could benefit from hGH therapy.