CAUSES OF SHORT STATURE IN KIDS

CAUSES OF SHORT STATURE IN KIDS

A. Proportionate short stature

Normal Variants

Familial

As a result of unknown genetic factor (s); runs in family members of varied generations.

Constitutional

Delayed skeletal growth, “less height” for chronologic age (child look all right for his weight, however) and delayed puberty are the characteristic features. The children – once they cross the early childhood – finally reach normal adult height.

Prenatal origin

JUGR: Maternal diabetes, toxemias, infections, teratogens (alcohol, nicotine, etc)

Dsymorphic syndromes: Silver-Rousell syndrome

Chromosomal anomalies: Turner syndrome, Down syndrome

Postnatal Origin

Nutritional

Malnutrition spread over a prolonged period

Organic diseases

Gastrointestinal: Malabsorption syndrome in the form of celiac disease, endemic tropical  sprue or cystic fibrosis of pancreas, heavy intestinal parasitism, cirrhosis of liver, congenital megacolon.

Cardiovascular: Congenital heart disease, rheumatic heart disease.

Respiratory: Pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchial asthma, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis of pancreas. Hematologic: Chronic  anemia(IDA, thalassemia)

Endocrinal: Pituitary dwarfism, hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, Dsymorphic syndromes precocious puberty, pseudohypoparathyroidism, diabetes mellitus. Cushing syndrome, Laurence-moon-biedl syndrome.  Frohlich syndrome.

Renal: Renal rickets from chronic renal failure and tubular disorders.

Chronic infections

Tuberculosis, malaria, syphilis, heavy parasitic infestation,

H. pylori infection

Drug induced

Prolonged use of anabolic steroids or corticosteroids.

Psychosocial

Emotional deprivation, parental neglect, CAN

Primordial

As a result of intrauterine factors that cause low birthweight.

B. Disproportionate short stature

Short limbs

Congenital hypothyroidism, achondroplasia osteogenesis imperfecta, amelia, rickets

Short trunk

Mucopolysacchridoses (gargoylism, Morquio disease), caries spine, hemivertebrae

Rickets