Short Stature
OVERVIEW AND INTRODUCTION
Short stature is a condition that is defined as well below average height when compared to others the same age and gender. Factors that may influence normal growth and stature include:
• Parental height.
• Progress of growth and development.
• Nutritional status.
Short stature may be a sign of a related medical condition or genetic disorder. Your health care provider will review your growth pattern to uncover any causes that may be treated.
CAUSES
Short stature that has no medical cause (idiopathic short stature) can be related to:
• Constitutional delay of growth and puberty. You may be small for your age, but have a normal growth rate. Puberty and growth spurts may occur later than usual. You will …show more content…
o Abdominal pain and diarrhea. o Poor appetite.
DIAGNOSIS
To make a diagnosis, your health care provider will take a medical history and perform a physical exam. You may also be referred to other specialists, such as an endocrinologist. You may also have tests, such as:
• Blood tests.
• Urine tests.
• Bone age x-ray.
• Other x-rays.
• Genetic tests.
Your health care provider may look for other hormonal or genetic causes for delayed growth or puberty. He or she will look at your growth over time.
TREATMENT
If the condition is thought to be caused by familial short stature, no treatment is needed. If your short stature is caused by a medical condition, your treatment will depend on the underlying cause. Specific treatments may include:
• Medications to correct hormonal imbalance, such as: o Growth hormone replacement. o Thyroid hormone replacement.
• Improved nutrition.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
• Take medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important. During these visits your health care provider will check your height, weight, and stage of sexual development.
SEEK MEDICAL CARE IF:
• You have unexplained hip or knee
OVERVIEW AND INTRODUCTION
Short stature is a condition that is defined as well below average height when compared to others the same age and gender. Factors that may influence normal growth and stature include:
• Parental height.
• Progress of growth and development.
• Nutritional status.
Short stature may be a sign of a related medical condition or genetic disorder. Your health care provider will review your growth pattern to uncover any causes that may be treated.
CAUSES
Short stature that has no medical cause (idiopathic short stature) can be related to:
• Constitutional delay of growth and puberty. You may be small for your age, but have a normal growth rate. Puberty and growth spurts may occur later than usual. You will …show more content…
o Abdominal pain and diarrhea. o Poor appetite.
DIAGNOSIS
To make a diagnosis, your health care provider will take a medical history and perform a physical exam. You may also be referred to other specialists, such as an endocrinologist. You may also have tests, such as:
• Blood tests.
• Urine tests.
• Bone age x-ray.
• Other x-rays.
• Genetic tests.
Your health care provider may look for other hormonal or genetic causes for delayed growth or puberty. He or she will look at your growth over time.
TREATMENT
If the condition is thought to be caused by familial short stature, no treatment is needed. If your short stature is caused by a medical condition, your treatment will depend on the underlying cause. Specific treatments may include:
• Medications to correct hormonal imbalance, such as: o Growth hormone replacement. o Thyroid hormone replacement.
• Improved nutrition.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
• Take medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important. During these visits your health care provider will check your height, weight, and stage of sexual development.
SEEK MEDICAL CARE IF:
• You have unexplained hip or knee