Short stature

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• Y

Height/weight chart

Short stature refers to any person who is significantly below the average height for a person of the same age and sex -- specifically, the shortest 3 - 5% of the population.

The term often refers to children or adolescents who are significantly below the average height of their peers.

Short stature is not necessarily a symptom or sign of a health problem. Two relatively short but healthy parents may have an entirely healthy child who is in the shortest 5%.

On the other hand, short stature may be a symptom caused by a medical condition. Since many of these conditions are treatable, the person should be examined by a health care provider. The rate of growth over time is important in determining the cause.

• Achondroplasia
• AIDS
• Chronic diseases such as congenital heart disease, kidney diseases, asthma, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes
• Craniopharyngioma
• Cushing's disease
• Delayed puberty (causes temporary short stature, but normal height is eventually achieved)
• Down syndrome
• Hypopituitarism
• Hypothyroidism that develops before birth
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Malabsorption disorders such as celiac disease
• Malnutrition
• Pituitary dwarfism
• Precocious puberty
• Rickets
• Russell-Silver syndrome
• Turner syndrome

This list is not all-inclusive.

Review Date: 02/14/2007
Reviewed By: Leisha M. Andersen, M.D., Private Practice specializing in Pediatrics, Denver, CO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.