Retrospective evaluation of pubertal development and linear growth of girls with Turner Syndrome treated with oral and transdermal estrogen.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to evaluate the pubertal development and linear growth of Turner Syndrome (TS) girls regularly monitored in our department.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The data of 13 patients with TS were evaluated retrospectively. Left hand radiograms were evaluated by three different pediatric endocrinologists to determine bone ages.

RESULTS

Six (46.2%) of the TS girls were treated with oral estrogens, while 7 (53.8%) were treated with transdermal estrogen. The ratios of chronological age (CA) difference to bone age (BA) difference (ΔCA/ΔBA) in two groups of patients treated with estrogen were compared at the time of the last control. The ΔCA/ΔBA ratio in the transdermal estrogen-treated group was significantly higher (p=0.005). These results suggest slower BA progression in the TS girls treated with transdermal estrogen.

CONCLUSION

BA advancement is less significant with transdermal estrogen, which is associated with adequate breast development.