The Use of Androgens and Thyroid for Stimulation of Growth in Short Children

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Abstract
Ten years of using thyroid and androgens to stimulate growth in short children yielded good results (a puberty-like growth spurt) in 88 patients who were treated for periods of 1 to 6 years. Diagnostic categories were: familial short stature, hypopituitarism and miscellaneous. Average age at start of treatment was 12 1/2 years. Serial bone age determinations showed that bone age and height age increased at the same rate; the former had a tendency to approach but seldom passed chronologic age. Estimates of eventual mature height compared before and after treatment indicated an increase in about a third of the patients. The psychologic value of the dramatic effects of treatment appeared in generally improved social and scholastic outlooks. Side effects of virilism (even in girls) and hyperthyroidism were seldom encountered; they were carefully sought and adjustments in dosage were made when necessary. The use of this mode of treatment seems justifiable if it is properly monitored.

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