Short Stature

Question 1

What are some causes of short stature?

Answer 1

• Normal variant (often familial)
• Constitutional delay of growth and puberty
• Chronic illness e.g. cystic fibrosis, inflammatory bowel disease
• Endocrine: growth hormone deficiency , hypothyroidism, steroid excess
• Syndromes: Turner’s, Down’s, Prader-Willi
• Skeletal dysplasias e.g. achondroplasia

Question 2

How do you calculate the height potential for a male child?

Answer 2

(father’s height in cm + mother’s height in cm) / 2 then add 7 cm

EASY: Mean parental height + 7cm

Question 3

How do you calculate the height potential for a female child?

Answer 3

(father’s height in cm + mother’s height in cm) / 2 then minus 7 cm

EASY: Mean parental height - 7cm

Question 4

How many centimeters each way can the adult height potential vary?

Answer 4

2 standard deviations

5cm each way