Abstract.The Growject® database on human GH treatment in Turner syndrome was analyzed in the Turner Syndrome Research Collaboration, and the relationships of the frequencies of spontaneous breast development and spontaneous menarche with karyotype and GH treatment were investigated. One hundred and three cases started GH treatment with 0.5 IU/kg/ week (0.5 IU group), and their dose was increased to 0.35 mg/kg/wk midway through the treatment course. Another 109 cases started GH at a dose of 0.35 mg/kg/wk (0.35 mg group). Spontaneous breast development was observed in 77 (36.3%) of the 212 patients, and spontaneous menarche occurred in 31 patients (14.6%). The frequency of spontaneous breast development was significantly lower in patients with the 45,X karyotype and significantly higher in patients with a structural abnormality of the second X chromosome. The frequency of spontaneous menarche was significantly higher in patients with mosaicism characterized by X monosomy and a cellular line with no structural abnormality of the X chromosome. No significant differences in frequencies of spontaneous breast development and spontaneous menarche were observed between the two dose groups, indicating that GH treatment does not increase the frequency of spontaneous puberty.

Abstract.The efficacy and safety of recombinant human GH (rhGH) treatment were assessed in Japanese children with small-for-gestational-age short stature. A total of 88 patients were enrolled in the comparative and extension studies. At the end of the comparative study (24 mo), the mean height SD score for chronological age had significantly increased in the 0.23 mg/kg/wk and 0.47 mg/kg/wk groups with increments of 0.84 ± 0.42 and 1.50 ± 0.44 SD, respectively. In the extension study, the dose could be increased based on the pre-defined growth criteria. Increments in height SD scores over the 24 to 36 mo period at doses of 0.23 mg/kg/wk, 0.23 to 0.47 mg/kg/wk, and 0.47 mg/kg/wk were 0.25 ± 0.28, 0.46 ± 0.21, and 0.28 ± 0.16 SD, respectively. The growth effect increased following dose escalation even in the low responders in the initial 2-yr treatment at 0.23 mg/kg/wk, indicating the effectiveness of dose escalation in accordance with the Japanese guidelines. rhGH at 0.47 mg/kg/wk provided a greater degree of growth promotion after 24 mo. The safety profile appeared to be tolerable and was similar in all groups. Considering the increased insulin resistance, the recommendations of the regulatory authorities should be followed to minimize the risks of rhGH treatment.

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Background: Patients with Turner syndrome (TS) are prone to having metabolic abnormalities, such as obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hyperinsulinemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus, resulting in increased risks of developing atherosclerotic diseases. Objective: To determine the effect of growth hormone (GH) therapy on serum cholesterol levels in prepubertal girls with TS enrolled in the Turner syndrome Research Collaboration (TRC) in Japan. Patients and methods: Eighty-one girls with TS were enrolled in the TRC, and their total cholesterol (TC) levels before GH therapy were compared with reported levels of healthy school-aged Japanese girls. TC levels after 1, 2 and 3 yr of GH treatment were available for 28 of the 81 patients with TS. GH was administered by daily subcutaneous injections, 6 or 7 times/wk, with a weekly dose of 0.35 mg/kg body weight. Results: Baseline TC levels revealed an age-related increase in TS that was in contrast to healthy girls showing unchanged levels. During GH therapy, TC decreased significantly after 1 yr of GH treatment and remained low thereafter. Conclusions: Girls with untreated TS showed an age-related increase in TC that was a striking contrast to healthy girls, who showed unchanged levels. GH therapy in girls with TS brought about a favorable change in TC that indicates the beneficial impact of GH on atherogenic risk.

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