Body Mass Index in Turner Syndrome Before and After Growth Hormone Ther

Turner syndrome is the most common chromosomal abnormality in females. Girls with Turner syndrome have an abmormal or missing X choromosme that causes short stature, ovarian failure, renovascular and cardiac anomalies. It has been shown that there is a endency to obesity in the Turner syndrome. This prospective study has been done to evaluate whether body mass index (BMI) is different in girls with Turner syndrome as compared to normal girls and also whether it is affected by growth hormone (GH) therapy. BMI (kg/m2) was calculated for 21 girls with Turner syndrome at baseline (at the diagnosis), and after 6 months treatement with GH 0.1 IU/kg/day subcutaneously at bedtime. The results were analyzed with the SPSS and the statistical significance was established at a p<0.05. The mean age at diagnosis was 11.2±2.9 years. Height and weight were reduced in Turner syndrome as compared to those of normal girls. BMI’s was 18.44±3.32 and 18.78±4.21 kg/m2 before and after 6-month period of GH therapy, respectively. No significant change in BMI was observed (p=0.334). This study documented that shortterm hGH administration was not associated with changes in BMI in girls with Turner syndrome.