Etiological Classification of Short Stature in Children over 5 Years Old

Abstract

Background: Short stature is a common problem in childhood, which may be a normal variant of growth or the result of pathologic conditions. Determination of the etiological factors would lead to more appropriate assessment and clinical approach for patients. Objective: The aim of this study is to describe the etiologies of short stature among children. Materials and Methods: An Observational Cross-Sectional study was conducted in 92 children older than 5 years with short stature. They are selected from Pediatric Endocrinology Clinic, Tishreen University Hospital between September 2020 and September 2021. Weight and height were measured and target height was calculated. Samples of blood, urine, stool were taken and appropriate investigations were performed. Results: A total of 92 children, 42 males (45.7%) and 50 females (54.3%) with mean age 8.8 ± 2.7 years were included in the study. Out of the 92 children, 57(62%) were normal variants including familial short stature (44.6%) and constitutional growth delay (17.4%). Endocrine causes were founded in 14 cases (15.2%) which included hypothyroidism (8.7%), growth hormone deficiency GHD (4.3%) and vitamin D-resistant rickets (2.2%). Other causes of short stature were as follows: infection with Helicobacter pylori (9.8%), Celiac disease (6.5%), and malnutrition (4.3%).