Adult height in patients with familial male-limited precocious puberty and the role of an aromatase inhibitor in patient management

Abstract

Abstract Background: There is little adult height data in patients with familial male-limited precocious puberty (FMPP) and no management consensus. We assessed the treatment and adult height in local patients with FMPP and those reported in the literature. Methods: Growth data were obtained on four local patients with FMPP and a search performed to obtain management details and adult height data on cases in the literature. UK (90) population standards were used to calculate standard deviation scores (SDS). Results: Adult height data were available on 25 men with FMPP of whom 21 were treated. Median adult height SDS of patients was −1.5 SD with a mid-parental target of −0.6 SD (p=0.1). Eight patients (32%) had an adult height above the mid-parental target and seven patients (28%) had a height >2 SD below the mean. The median height SD was −0.03 in untreated patients and +0.5 SD in those receiving an aromatase inhibitor. There was no relationship between height and age at presentation. Conclusions: Aromatase inhibitor therapy is associated with a positive height outcome in FMPP but the outcome with and without intervention is unpredictable. Clinicians need to be cautious when counselling families about the potential height outcome in FMPP.