Growth pattern and final height in 21-hydroxylase deficiency.

Growth pattern and final height were evaluated in 47 children with 21-hydroxylase deficiency to identify factors influencing growth. The subjects were followed-up from the age of 0.6 +/- 1.2 years for 8.8 +/- 3.9 years. Final height SDS was significantly below target height SDS (- 2.5 +/- 1.4 versus - 1.0 +/- 1.0, P < 0.001). Laboratory monitoring and type of disease (salt-wasting or simple virilizing) significantly influenced age-specific height SDS. Age at treatment, frequency of laboratory monitoring and dose of glucocorticoid during infancy influenced final height on univariate analysis; the effect was not sustained on multivariate analysis. Our study emphasizes the need for regular laboratory monitoring and lower glucocorticoid dose during infancy in 21-hydroxylase deficiency.