A Study of Growth Promotion in Children

Abstract

In this study 23 children with short stature of differing aetiology were treated by methandienone in doses of 0.08 to 0.73 mg./kg./day. In 10 of these 23 children growth rates greater than those of normal children were produced. All 23 children showed some degree of virilism and all but three an advance in skeletal maturation which correlated with or exceeded their gain in stature. The effects of such drugs in growth promotion are complicated and difficult to define. The action of methandienone on growth promotion in the doses used was predominantly androgenic. In eight children the drug stimulated appetite. The protein anabolic effects of the drug could not be separated from its androgenic action. Indications are stated for the use of such drugs in children of short stature, together with the precautions to be observed in their use.