Delayed pubertal growth spurt and normal adult height attainment in boys receiving long-term alternate-day prednisone therapy.

Statural growth to age > or = 20 years was studied in 10 boys with glomerulonephritis who received alternate-day prednisone (mean 1.2 mg/kg) for at least 2 consecutive years during pubertal age. Peak growth velocity was delayed after age 15 years in six patients and it was less than 7 cm/year in five. However, after age 16, growth velocity was significantly (p = 0.02) higher than expected and allowed patients to ultimately reach their genetic height potential.