Height correlation analysis between women with Turner syndrome, their sisters and parents

Abstract

Introduction: The most frequent physical features associated with Turner syndrome is short stature. The main goal of the research was to estimate the height of women with Turner syndrome and to analyze the correlation between their height and their sisters and parents height.
Material and methods: The research was based on the 176 women with Turner syndrome (number of parents = 176; number of sisters = 122). The data was collected from 1995 to 2002 in Out-patient Clinic for Women with Turner’s Syndrome in Bytom.
Results: Average height in the group of women non treated with growth hormone and anabolic drugs was 144.1 ± 6.8 cm (n = 105), mothers average height: 162 ± 5.3 cm, fathers average height: 172.4 ± 6.1 cm, sisters: 164.9 ± 5.2 cm (n = 79). The height of women with karyotype 45,X was slightly shorter: 143.1 ± 6.9 cm, while the height of the family have remained unchanged. Contrary to all untreated women with Turner syndrome where the height was correlated with the mothers and fathers height (pearson’s r = 0.32 and 0.34 respectively), sisters height was correlated mainly with fathers height (pearson’s r = 0.47 and 0.34 respectively). In the group with karyotype 45,X patients’ height was correlated mainly with mothers height (r = 0.55). In this group sisters height is correlated stronger with fathers’ height (r = 0.45) than with mothers’ height (r = 0.35).
Conclusions: 1. The height of non treated women with Turner syndrome is correlated with both parents height while the height of sisters is correlated mainly with fathers. 2. The height of Turner syndrome women with karyotype 45,X is correlated with their mothers height. (Pol J Endocrinol 2008; 59 (2): 140–145)