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Article
January 1973

Estrogen Treatment of Tall Girls

Author Affiliations

Oakland, Calif
From the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, Kaiser-Permanente Medical Center, Oakland, Calif.

Am J Dis Child. 1973;125(1):71-74. doi:10.1001/archpedi.1973.04160010045010
Abstract

Widely varying reports of methods and results have confused evaluation of estrogen as a means of limiting the height of tall girls. This comparative study of 21 treated and 17 untreated girls above the 97th percentile for height indicates a statistically significant probability that exogenous estrogen limits ultimate height, but only by an average of about 4 cm (1.6 in). The optimal starting age appears to be before bone age 13 years. Starting treatment before bone age 111/2 years did not improve results. In offering this treatment, one must weigh the potential ill effects of estrogen administration to young girls against a demonstrated modest decrease in mature height.

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