Retrospective evaluation of pubertal development and linear growth of girls with Turner Syndrome treated with oral and transdermal estrogen

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the pubertal development and linear growth of Turner Syndrome (TS) girls regularly monitored in our department. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The data of 13 patients with TS were evaluated retrospectively. Left hand radiograms were evaluated by three different pediatric endocrinologists to determine bone ages. RESULTS: Six (46.2%) of the TS girls were treated with oral estrogens, while 7 (53.8%) were treated with transdermal estrogen. The ratios of chronological age (CA) difference to bone age (BA) difference (ΔCA/ΔBA) in two groups of patients treated with estrogen were compared at the time of the last control. The ΔCA/ΔBA ratio in the transdermal estrogen-treated group was significantly higher (p=0.005). These results suggest slower BA progression in the TS girls treated with transdermal estrogen. CONCLUSION: BA advancement is less significant with transdermal estrogen, which is associated with adequate breast development.