Alternate term for dwarfism, resulting from a growth disorder.
A term applied to individuals who are among the shortest 5 percent of people for their age and sex. Short stature may be a symptom of a medical condition, such as delayed or precocious puberty, hypothyroidism, or skeletal dysplasia, or it may represent a normal inherited trait. People of short stature can sometimes benefit from growth hormone medication.
Body height at a specified age below the level obtained at that age by 70% of the population. A number of diseases, including hormonal, nutritional, and intrauterine growth retardation, may cause this condition. It is important to determine the cause and initiate appropriate therapy as soon as possible.
A height significantly below the standard range for an individual’s age. In children, having short stature often stems from genetic factors or gradual bone development. In most instances, growth eventually accelerates, resulting in a normal adult height. In rarer cases, it may result from conditions that impede bone growth, such as bone diseases like untreated rickets or achondroplasia, as well as hormonal disorders including growth hormone deficiency and hypothyroidism. Factors like emotional neglect, chronic malnutrition, and impaired nutrient absorption can also hinder growth. Short stature can be attributed to specific chromosomal disorders, such as stunted growth in Down’s syndrome or the absence of the normal puberty-related growth spurt in girls with Turner’s syndrome. Other factors leading to limited growth in children encompass prolonged use of corticosteroids and anticancer medications. Additionally, untreated severe respiratory disease or congenital heart conditions can restrict the supply of oxygen to developing tissues, thereby causing short stature.
The physician will consider the height of the parents and examine for indications of potential underlying illnesses. The growth trajectory of an affected child is tracked through routine height measurements. X-rays and blood tests might aid in pinpointing an underlying reason, which will subsequently be addressed. If there’s a deficiency in hormones, growth hormone therapy is administered, and it’s also employed to treat short stature linked to conditions like Turner’s syndrome.