How tall is too tall? On the ethics of oestrogen treatment for tall girls

J Med Ethics. 2007 Jan;33(1):48-50. doi: 10.1136/jme.2006.016253.

Abstract

Oestrogen treatment for girls, to prevent psychosocial problems due to extreme tallness, has been available for almost 50 years but uncertainty about its position prevails. The ethical problems of this treatment are focused on in this paper. After a brief overview on historical and medical aspects, ethical issues such as the general justification of oestrogen treatment, evaluation of its success and ethical concerns related to research in this subject are dealt with in detail.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Body Height
  • Child
  • Estrogens / therapeutic use*
  • Ethics, Medical*
  • Female
  • Growth Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Growth Disorders / psychology
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy*
  • Humans
  • Prognosis

Substances

  • Estrogens