Estrogen Gel Helps Girls with Chromosome Disorder

Immature sexual development is a hallmark of a genetic condition called Turner syndrome, but Finnish investigators have found a way to help. They say an estradiol gel brings on slow, progressive pubertal development equal to natural puberty in such cases. Turner syndrome is caused when one of the two X chromosomes that girls normally have is missing. It results in various physical characteristics and incomplete ovaries. In the Finnish study, 23 girls with Turner syndrome were instructed to apply a gel containing estradiol, a form of estrogen, once daily on the skin of the lower trunk or thighs.