Oxandrolone treatment of childhood hereditary angioedema.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The virilizing effects of danazol, stanozolol, and methyltestosterone significantly restrict the usefulness of these agents in the treatment of children with hereditary angioedema (HAE). Oxandrolone is a synthetic anabolic steroid with limited virilizing effects that has been used in a variety of pediatric conditions and has an acceptable safety profile.

OBJECTIVE:

To report the effective use of oxandrolone in a 6-year-old boy with recurrent, life-threatening episodes of angioedema.

METHODS:

Oxandrolone was administered at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg per day. Symptoms and laboratory findings were evaluated by parental report and laboratory analysis of serum C1 esterase inhibitor and C4 levels, respectively.

RESULTS:

Oxandrolone therapy resulted in a marked reduction in clinical episodes and normalization of serum complement levels; cessation of oxandrolone therapy resulted in recurrence of symptoms and decreased complement levels. However, early signs of virilization were noted.

CONCLUSIONS:

Oxandrolone treatment was associated with significant clinical and laboratory evidence of a therapeutic effect in a prepuberal boy with HAE. It is imperative to treat HAE with the lowest dose of oxandrolone that controls life-threatening episodes of angioedema.

• Authors: Joseph A Church
• Journal: Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol) Vol. 92 Issue 3 Pg. 377-8 (Mar 2004) ISSN: 1081-1206 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15049404 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anabolic Agents
• Complement C1 Inactivator Proteins
• Complement C4
• Oxandrolone

Topics

• Anabolic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Angioedema (drug therapy)
• Child
• Complement C1 Inactivator Proteins (drug effects)
• Complement C4 (drug effects)
• Humans
• Male
• Oxandrolone (therapeutic use)