Short stature

Last updated: Saturday, 29, January, 2011
CausesAppropriate Tests

Clinical history, including family history, and measurement of growth over a period of time.

Pathology tests may be appropriate to identify underlying cause.

Constitutional growth delay

Normal variation

Intra-uterine growth retardation

Malnutrition

Systemic disease

Hypothyroidism

Pituitary/hypothalamic disorders, especially

  • Growth hormone deficiency
See Hypopitutarism - growth hormone

Androgen excess, especially

  • Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
See under Adrenocortical insufficiency

Genetic/chromosomal abnormalities, including

  • Gonadal dysgenesis (Turner syndrome)
See under Amenorrhoea
  • Mucopolysaccharidoses (some)
See under Lysosomal storage diseases
  • Achondroplasia
Molecular genetics (if available).