Puberty blockers and bones: new study explores risks for transgender teens

NCT ID NCT04203381

Terminated Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Amy DiVasta, MD Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looked at bone health in transgender youth aged 9-14 who were starting puberty blockers (GnRH agonists). Researchers used MRI and other scans to measure bone marrow and density changes over 24 months, comparing them to healthy peers. The goal was to understand if blocking puberty affects bone development. The study was terminated early, so findings are limited.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: GnRH agonist (puberty blocker)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could help doctors understand how puberty blockers affect bone development in transgender youth, guiding safer treatment.
What could go wrong: This was a small, terminated observational study with only 78 participants, so results may be limited and not apply to all youth.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

bone development disease

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

BONE DEVELOPMENT GENDER DYSPHORIA IN CHILDREN PUBERTY

Contacts and locations

Locations

Boston Children's Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229, United States

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