The Effectiveness of Oxandrolone in Promoting Linear Growth in Growth Hormone Deficient Children

Authors

Charles B. Wolf
Raymond C. Mellinger
Lewis B. Morrow
M. Saeed-uz Zafar

Abstract

This two-year study consisted of a comparison of oxandrolone and growth hormone for the treatment of five children with documented growth hormone deficiency. Previously, androgens have been reported to be relatively ineffective in accelerating linear growth In growth hormone deficient children. Oxandrolone was administered for one year. Growth hormone was added in the second six months and then was given as a single agent in the third six months. Growth accelerated markedly in all patients. Only one child showed more rapid growth with the addition of growth hormone while two children actually grew more rapidly under the Influence of oxandrolone alone. Growth was poor and diminished when growth hormone was given as a single agent in the third six-month period for three children but improved when oxandrolone was re-instituted in a fourth six-month treatment period. These results suggest that oxandrolone may prove to be an effective and safe substitute for growth hormone in the management of selected cases of hypopituitarism.

Recommended Citation

Wolf, Charles B.; Mellinger, Raymond C.; Morrow, Lewis B.; and Saeed-uz Zafar, M. (1973) "The Effectiveness of Oxandrolone in Promoting Linear Growth in Growth Hormone Deficient Children," Henry Ford Hospital Medical Journal : Vol. 21 : No. 4 , 163-167.
Available at: https://scholarlycommons.henryford.com/hfhmedjournal/vol21/iss4/2