Adult height in pubertal boys with short stature treated with GH/letrozole: a hospital record-based retrospective study

Background The growth potential in pubertal boys with short stature is limited by the effect of estrogen on epiphyseal fusion. This study aims to identify the efficacy and safety of the combination of growth hormone (GH) and letrozole on adult height (AH) in pubertal boys with short stature. Methods This is a retrospective record based study. Pubertal boys with short stature who were treated with GH and letrozole were followed up at outpatient clinics in our hospital. Twenty subjects who reached AH are reported here. Results Baseline chronological age was 12.12 [+ or -] 1.14 yr and bone age was 13.00 [+ or -] 0.93 yr. The period of GH/letrozole treatment was 1.94 [+ or -] 0.67 yr. Height standard deviation score for bone age was increased from -1.46 [+ or -] 0.51 before treatment to -0.12 [+ or -] 0.57 after treatment (P < 0.001). The predicted AH before treatment, predicted AH after treatment, AH, and genetic target height were 161.02 [+ or -] 4.12 cm, 172.11 [+ or -] 4.20 cm, 172.67 [+ or -] 2.72 cm, and 167.67 [+ or -] 3.56 cm, respectively. There was a significant predicted AH difference before and after treatment (P < 0.001). There was a significant difference between predicted AH before treatment and genetic target height (P < 0.001). Predicted AH after therapy was higher than that of gene target height (P < 0.001), as well as AH and genetic target height (P < 0.001). There was no significant side effect. Conclusions GH and letrozole combination can enhance AH in pubertal boys with short stature. Keywords: Pubertal boys, Short stature, Letrozole, Growth hormone, Adult height