Long-term effects of oxandrolone treatment in childhood on neurocognition, quality of life and social-emotional functioning in young adults with Turner syndrome.

Turner syndrome (TS) is the result of (partial) absence of one X-chromosome. Besides short stature, gonadal dysgenesis and other physical aspects, TS women have typical psychological features. Since psychological effects of androgen exposure in childhood probably are long-lasting, we explored long-term psychological functioning after oxandrolone (Ox) therapy during childhood in adults with TS in terms of neurocognition, quality of life and social-emotional functioning. During the initial study, girls were treated with growth hormone (GH) combined with placebo (Pl), Ox 0.03 mg/kg/day, or Ox 0.06 mg/kg/day from the age of eight, and estrogen from the age of twelve. Sixty-eight women participated in the current double-blinded follow-up study (mean age 24.0 years, mean time since stopping GH/Ox 8.7 years). We found no effects on neurocognition. Concerning quality of life women treated with Ox had higher anxiety levels (STAI 37.4 ± 8.4 vs 31.8 ± 5.0, p=0.002) and higher scores on the depression subscale of the SCL-90-R (25.7 ± 10.7 vs 20.5 ± 4.7, p=0.01). Regarding social-emotional functioning, emotion perception for fearful faces was lower in the Ox-treated patients, without effect on interpersonal behavior. Our exploratory study is the first to suggest that androgen treatment in adolescence possibly has long-term effects on adult quality of life and social-emotional functioning. However, differences are small and clinical implications of our results seem limited. Therefore we would not recommend against the use of Ox in light of psychological consequences.

Safety and efficacy of oxandrolone in growth hormone-treated girls with Turner syndrome: evidence from recent studies and recommendations for use.

There has been no consensus regarding the efficacy and safety of oxandrolone (Ox) in addition to growth hormone (GH) in girls with Turner syndrome (TS), the optimal age of starting this treatment, or the optimal dose. This collaborative venture between Dutch, UK and US centers is intended to give a summary of the data from three recently published randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind studies on the effects of Ox. The published papers from these studies were reviewed within the group of authors to reach consensus about the recommendations. The addition of Ox to GH treatment leads to an increase in adult height, on average 2.3­4.6 cm. If Ox dosages<0.06 mg/kg/day are used, side effects are modest. The most relevant safety concerns are virilization(including clitoromegaly and voice deepening) and a transient delay of breast development. We advise monitoring signs of virilization breast development and possibly blood lipids during Ox treatment, in addition to regular follow-up assessments for TS. In girls with TS who are severely short for age, in whom very short adult stature is anticipated,or in whom the growth rate is modest despite good compliance with GH, adjunctive treatment with Ox at a dosage of 0.03­0.05 mg/kg/day starting from the age of 8­10 years onward scan be considered.

Small for gestational age (SGA): endocrine and metabolic consequences and effects of growth hormone treatment.

Several studies have demonstrated an association between low birth weight and impaired insulin sensitivity or even type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) in later life. Growth hormone (GH) is known to increase fasting and postprandial insulin levels. For that reason concern has been expressed regarding possible detrimental effects of GH therapy in children born SGA. In a Dutch trial the possible side effects of GH therapy on carbohydrate metabolism were assessed in short children born SGA after 6 years and at 6 months after discontinuation of GH therapy. This study included 79 prepubertal short children born SGA, participating in a multicenter double-blind, randomized, dose-response GH trial. Inclusion criteria were: 1) birth length SDS below -1.88, 2) age 3-11 years in boys and 3-9 years in girls, 3) height SDS < -1.88, 4) no spontaneous catch-up growth, and 5) an uncomplicated neonatal period. Mean (SD) value for age was 7.3 (2.1) years, birth length SDS -3.6, height SDS -3.0 (0.7) and BMI SDS -1.2 (1.3). All children were randomly assigned to either group A (n = 41) using 1 mg GH/m2/day or group B (n = 38) using 2 mg/m2/ d/ay (approximately 0.1 or 0.2 IU/kg/d, respectively). Standard oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) were performed before and during 6 years of GH therapy and 6 months after discontinuation of GH therapy. Before GH therapy 8% of the children had impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) according to criteria of the WHO. After 6 years of GH therapy, IGT was found in 4% and after stopping GH in 10%. Mean fasting glucose increased significantly with 0.5 mMol/l after 1 year of GH therapy, without a further increase thereafter. GH therapy induced considerably higher fasting and glucose-stimulated insulin levels. None of the observed changes were different between the GH dosage groups. Children who remained prepubertal had similar glucose and insulin levels compared to children who entered puberty. HbA1c levels were always in the normal range and none of the children developed diabetes mellitus. After discontinuation of GH therapy the mean serum glucose levels remained normal and the mean serum insulin levels decreased significantly, to normal age reference values. Before the start of GH the mean systolic blood pressure was significantly higher compared to age-matched peers, whereas during GH therapy a significant decline in mean systolic blood pressure occurred, which remained similar after discontinuation of GH treatment. In conclusion, continuous, long-term GH therapy in short children born SGA has no adverse effects on glucose levels, even with GH dosages up to 2 mg/m2/day. However, as has been reported in other patient groups, GH induced higher fasting and glucose-stimulated insulin levels, indicating insulin resistance. After discontinuation of GH, serum insulin levels declined to normal age-matched reference levels. Since impaired insulin sensitivity and DM2 have been demonstrated in relatively young patients born SGA, long-term follow-up of children born SGA is advised, also after discontinuation of GH therapy.