Studies on anabolic steroids. IV. The effects of oxandrolone on height and skeletal maturation in uncomplicated growth retardation

Data are reported on oxandrolone as a growth‐promoting agent in children with uncomplicated growth retardation. The effects on height and skeletal maturation suggest that it has advantages over other anabolic agents. The mean rate of linear growth was approximately doubled, and the mean advance in height age was accelerated more than was the mean advance in skeletal maturation. The former observation demonstrates that oxandrolone is an effective growth‐promoting drug, while the latter suggests that the children's ultimate adult heights may not be compromised because of the administration of this anabolic steroid.