Asymptomatic Short Stature: How Much Evaluation Is Warranted?

Among 235 children with short stature evaluated in a referral clinic, only 3 had a possible cause identified.

In 2008, a Consensus Conference of endocrinology experts recommended comprehensive laboratory and radiological evaluations for all children whose height is shorter than <2 standard deviations of the mean. To evaluate the incidence of pathology and cost of diagnostic tests, researchers retrospectively reviewed the diagnostic evaluations of 235 children (prepubertal boys, 73%) with short stature (SS; height, <3rd percentile) seen in an endocrinology referral clinic. All participants were medically asymptomatic and had normal physical examinations.

Participants were determined to have familial SS (23%), constitutional growth delay (41%), or idiopathic SS (36%). Three patients (1%) received a diagnosis after referral: confirmed celiac disease, s…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

Asymptomatic Short Stature: How Much Evaluation Is Warranted?

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Reviewing Author