THE USE OF METHYLTESTOSTERONE TO STIMULATE GROWTH: RELATIVE INFLUENCE ON SKELETAL MATURATION AND LINEAR GROWTH*

Abstract

Testosterone is frequently used to promote growth in children of short stature (1). Although it often causes a marked increase in the rate of growth in height, it also tends to increase the rate of skeletal maturation (2). This is of importance, since adult stature is determined not only by the rate of growth but also by the duration of growth, which is a function of skeletal maturation. Growth of the long bones stops when epiphyseal fusion is completed at the skeletal age of 16 years in girls and 18 years in boys. Treatment with testosterone may cause a decrease in ultimate stature if it causes skeletal maturation to advance more rapidly than linear growth. Testosterone therapy may, however, be expected to result in greater ultimate stature if it causes statural growth to advance more rapidly than skeletal maturation. The present study was undertaken to find out whether, in suitable dosage, testosterone may be expected to exert a favorable influence upon the ultimate stature of short, but otherwise healthy children.