Development - Short Stature

Question 1

How is short stature defined?

Answer 1

Height more than 2 standard deviations below average for their age and sex

Same as being below the 2nd centile

Question 2

How are children’s heights predicted?

Answer 2

Boys
Mum + dad +14cm /2

Girls
Mum + dad - 14cm /2

Question 3

What can cause short stature?

Answer 3

Familial short stature
Constitutional delay
Malnutrition
Chronic diseases e.g. coeliac’s, IBD
Endocrine - hypothyroidism
Genetic - Down syndrome
Skeletal dysplasias - achondroplasia

Question 4

What is constitutional delay in growth and puberty?

Answer 4

Variation on normal development

Leads to short stature in childhood compared to peers but normal heigh in adulthood

Puberty delayed and growth spurt lasts longer

Question 5

What happens to adult height in constitutional delay in growth and puberty?

Answer 5

They reach normal predicted adult height

Question 6

What is a key feature of CDGP?

Answer 6

Delayed bone age

Question 7

How can bone age be assessed?

Answer 7

X-rays of the wrist and hand by assessing size and shape of bones and growth plates

Question 8

How is constitutional delay in growth and puberty diagnosed?

Answer 8

History and examination

Can be supported by x-ray of hand and wrist for bone age

Exclude other causes