In our population excessive height implies in men a height above 191.7 cm, in women a height above 176.8 cm. Attempts at hormonal correction of excessive growth in boys with testosterone and in girls with oestrogens are based in particular on the action of oestrogens on chondroblasts in epiphyseal clefts, which lead to acceleration of their closure. Concurrently also the growth rate is stimulated and it depends on the therapeutic regime, in particular on early onset of treatment how the results will be manifested in the final height. More recent experience revealed that the final reduction of the expected height does not achieve as favourable results as reported in older work, in particular because of the error associated with the prognosis of height. A more marked effect of the treatment can be expected in girls, in boys obviously mainly the oestrogens formed endogenously from testosterone are effective. Although treatment does not cause detectable damage of reproductive functions, and the undesirable side-effects of steroid sex hormones are only slight and reversible, it is necessary with regard to the unconvincing effect on final growth to use hormonal treatment very carefully and only in exceptional cases, start treatment during the prepubertal or early pubertal developmental stage and always consider the risks and difficulties of treatment and the psychological impact of high stature on subjects with excessive growth.

        Key words: high stature, growth, testosterone, oestrogens, hormonal treatment