Delayed pubertal growth spurt in glomerulopathic boys receiving alternate-day prednisone.

Abstract

Statural growth was studied in 16 glomerulopathic children, 12 boys and 4 girls, treated with alternate-day prednisone for more than 2 years. Five patients were older than 12 years when started on therapy. Growth velocity was significantly slower in boys who received therapy during peripubertal age than in younger boys taking similar amounts of prednisone. In boys, pubertal growth spurt was delayed and shorter than normal, but growth continued with a velocity greater than normal for some years and kept on after 19 years of age. The ultimate height of the patients followed up after 19 years of age ranged within the normal limits of genetic height potential.