Five-year outcomes after oxandrolone administration in severely burned children: a randomized clinical trial of safety and efficacy.

What was studied

A single-center randomized trial compared one year of oxandrolone with placebo after severe burns, with follow-up for up to four years after therapy. Exercise versus standard care was separately randomized.

Who / model studied

Children aged 0–18 with burns covering more than 30% of their body surface were enrolled: 70 received oxandrolone and 152 placebo.

Studied dose & schedule

In this single-center randomized trial, children aged 0–18 years with burns affecting more than 30% of body surface area received oxandrolone 0.1 mg/kg twice daily for 12 months or placebo. At discharge, they were separately assigned to a 12-week exercise program or standard care. The supplied abstract does not specify oxandrolone's administration route.

What the study found

Oxandrolone improved height percentile and bone mineral content, reduced resting energy expenditure and cardiac workload measures, and increased IGF-1 during the first year. Lean mass and strength increased with combined oxandrolone and exercise. Benefits persisted up to five years after burns. No harmful side effects were attributed to treatment.

Limitations & context

No author-stated limitations were available in the abstract. This was a single-center pediatric burn study, with exercise also influencing muscle outcomes.

Read summary source ↗ · Prepared 9/22/2026 · AI-assisted, source-based summary