Causes of short stature in children referred to a tertiary care center in Southeast of Iran: 2018-2020

Objective: Short stature is a common problem encountered by endocrinologists. The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of common causes of short stature in children referred to the endocrinology clinic. Material and Methods: This prospective and descriptive study was carried out between August 2018 and September 2020. Included criteria were: age below 18 years, height more than 2 SD below the mean (< 3rd percentile), growth failure (< 4 cm/year), small for mid-parental height, and adequate follow-up. They were evaluated by anthropometric measurements; biochemical panel; hormonal tests; radiological studies; and hormonal provocative tests. Results: A total of 509 cases, 238 males (46.8%), and 271 females (53.2%) had short stature. The age of participants varied between 2-18 years. The mean chronological age was 11.83±3.44 years. Most study participants were over 10 years old (68%). Normal variants of growth with 271 (53.34%) children, were the most prevalent causes. These causes included in three subgroups: Familial short stature: 133 (26.14%); Constitutional delay of growth and puberty: 112 (22%); and Idiopathic short stature: 26 (5.12%). Totally 238 cases (46.66%) were due to pathologic types of Short Stature. The leading cause of short stature in this group was Growth Hormone deficiency that is seen in 70 (13.76%) patients. Conclusion: The normal variants of short stature as a group were the most common cause of short stature, followed by endocrinological causes of short stature and non-endocrinological causes.