The effect of tamoxifen on pubertal bone development in adolescents with pubertal gynecomastia
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Sinem Akgül
Abstract
During puberty, estrogen has a biphasic effect on epiphyses; at low levels, it leads to an increase in height and bone mass, whereas at high levels, it leads to closure of the epiphysis. Tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor modulator that has been used in the treatment of pubertal gynecomastia. Although it has not been approved for this indication, studies have shown it to be both successful and safe. In males, the peak of pubertal bone development occurs during Tanner stage 3–4, which is also when pubertal gynecomastia reaches its highest prevalence. Thus tamoxifen treatment could potentially effect pubertal bone development. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of tamoxifen on bone mineral density (BMD) and skeletal maturation when used for pubertal gynecomastia. We evaluated 20 boys with pubertal gynecomastia receiving tamoxifen for at least 4 months. BMD was measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Z-score and absolute BMD (g/cm2) was determined at baseline and 2 months after completing tamoxifen treatment. Bone age and height was evaluated before treatment and again one year later. Using absolute BMD (g/cm2), the mean difference from baseline was significant between the two groups both at spine (p=0.002) and femur (p=0.001), but not with the Z-score. This result was attributed to the expected increase during puberty according to sex and age. No significant effect on skeletal maturation was found (p=1.112). We conclude that when pubertal bone development is concerned, tamoxifen is safe for the treatment of pubertal gynecomastia as neither bone mineralization nor growth potential was affected.
Acknowledgments
We would like to thank Associate Professor Dr. Erdem Karabulut from Hacettepe University, Department of Biostatistics, for his statistical contribution.
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©2016 by De Gruyter
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- EDITORIAL
- Newborn screening of metabolic disorders
- Current and future perspective of newborn screening: an Indian scenario
- Hawkinsinuria in two unrelated Greek newborns: identification of a novel variant, biochemical findings and treatment
- Leptin and neuropeptide Y levels in newborns
- Markers of bone metabolism, serum leptin levels and bone mineral density in preterm babies
- Adipokines in umbilical cord blood from children born large for gestational age
- REVIEW
- Diabetes insipidus in children
- ORIGINAL ARTICLES
- Essential oils reduce autonomous response to pain sensation during self-monitoring of blood glucose among children with diabetes
- The prevalence of melanocortin-4 receptor gene mutations in Slovak obese children and adolescents
- Physical activity does not attenuate the relationship between daily cortisol and metabolic syndrome in obese youth
- Evaluation of the tshr gene reveals polymorphisms associated with typical symptoms in primary congenital hypothyroidism
- The effect of tamoxifen on pubertal bone development in adolescents with pubertal gynecomastia
- Effects of methylphenidate on appetite and growth in children diagnosed with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder
- CASE REPORTS
- An unusual case of hereditary nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (HNDI) affecting mother and daughter
- Rapid-onset obesity with hypothalamic dysfunction, hypoventilation, and autonomic dysregulation syndrome and celiac disease in a 13-year-old girl: further evidence for autoimmunity?
- Prepubertal gynecomastia and chronic lavender exposure: report of three cases
- An adolescent girl referred with Cushing syndrome – does she or does she not have the syndrome?
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- EDITORIAL
- Newborn screening of metabolic disorders
- Current and future perspective of newborn screening: an Indian scenario
- Hawkinsinuria in two unrelated Greek newborns: identification of a novel variant, biochemical findings and treatment
- Leptin and neuropeptide Y levels in newborns
- Markers of bone metabolism, serum leptin levels and bone mineral density in preterm babies
- Adipokines in umbilical cord blood from children born large for gestational age
- REVIEW
- Diabetes insipidus in children
- ORIGINAL ARTICLES
- Essential oils reduce autonomous response to pain sensation during self-monitoring of blood glucose among children with diabetes
- The prevalence of melanocortin-4 receptor gene mutations in Slovak obese children and adolescents
- Physical activity does not attenuate the relationship between daily cortisol and metabolic syndrome in obese youth
- Evaluation of the tshr gene reveals polymorphisms associated with typical symptoms in primary congenital hypothyroidism
- The effect of tamoxifen on pubertal bone development in adolescents with pubertal gynecomastia
- Effects of methylphenidate on appetite and growth in children diagnosed with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder
- CASE REPORTS
- An unusual case of hereditary nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (HNDI) affecting mother and daughter
- Rapid-onset obesity with hypothalamic dysfunction, hypoventilation, and autonomic dysregulation syndrome and celiac disease in a 13-year-old girl: further evidence for autoimmunity?
- Prepubertal gynecomastia and chronic lavender exposure: report of three cases
- An adolescent girl referred with Cushing syndrome – does she or does she not have the syndrome?
