Short Stature
While children all grow and develop at their own rates, it can be frustrating for a child who is growing at a slower pace than their peers. Michael Wood, MD, a double board-certified pediatric endocrinologist, and our team can determine if your child’s short stature or slow growth is due to a medical condition.
Short Stature Q & A
What does short stature mean?
Short stature is the clinical term for a person who is considerably below the average height. In most cases, short stature refers to children, although it can also apply to adults. Clinically, a child is considered to have short stature if they’re less than two standard deviations below the average height of their peers.
For example, if the average height of a 10-year-old girl is 54 inches and a standard deviation is 2.7 inches, a 10-year-old girl who is less than 48.6 inches tall has short stature.
Standard deviations vary between boys and girls at different ages, and our team can explain where your child fits on the bell curve of height in their age group. While many children have short stature, they’re usually perfectly healthy and eventually catch up with their peers.
However, if you’re concerned about your child’s development or if your child is distressed, make an appointment to talk to our team at MI PEDS.
What causes short stature?
Constitutional growth delay, genetics, and disease are the three most common causes of short stature. Constitutional growth delay describes children who develop later than others. They might be small for their age and start puberty later than their peers. Also, if both parents are shorter than average, the child is genetically more likely to be smaller.
A variety of diseases can cause short stature. Endocrine disorders like growth hormone deficiency, hypothyroidism, and Cushing’s disease can all cause short stature. Additionally, a variety of chronic diseases like diabetes and asthma, genetic conditions, and bone diseases can cause short stature.
When should I talk to a doctor about my child’s development?
If you’re concerned about your child’s height, growth, or development, make an appointment with our team at MI PEDS. Only a trained physician can determine if your child’s short stature has a medical cause that requires treatment. For example, in addition to a physical exam, our team orders lab tests to evaluate your child’s hormone levels and to check for signs of other diseases.
How is short stature treated?
Treatment for short stature depends on the condition causing it. For example, if your child has a hypoactive thyroid, our team may prescribe thyroid hormone replacement. We can also explain your child’s condition in a way that helps them understand their bodies.