Height greater than two standard deviations below the mean of the appropriate reference population for the age and sex of the individual.
Symptoms of Short Stature
The following features are indicative of Short Stature:
an average size trunk
short arms
short fingers
limited mobility at the elbows
an adult height around 4 feet
instability of the neck bones
vision problems
hearing problems
flattened cheekbones
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Common Causes of Short Stature
The following are the most common causes of Short Stature:
achondroplasia
Turner syndrome
growth hormone deficiency
poor nutritional conditions
Risk Factors for Short Stature
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Short Stature:
genetic mutation in either the father's sperm or the mother's egg
pubertal delay
Prevention of Short Stature
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Short Stature. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
have good posture while sitting
consume healthy diet for weight loss
encourage more in recreational activities
avoid using infant devices such as swings, umbrella strollers
use an infant car seat with neck supports
Occurrence of Short Stature
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Short Stature cases seen each year worldwide:
Very rare between 1K - 10K cases
Common Age Group
Short Stature most commonly occurs in the following age group:
Aged between 9-10 years
Common Gender
Short Stature can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Short Stature
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Short Stature:
Physical Measurement: An important parameter for identifying abnormal growth
Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Reveals abnormalities of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus
X-Ray Imaging: Diagnose an abnormalities of the skull and skeleton
Genetic testing: To diagnose the causal genes of dwarfism-related disorders
Complications of Short Stature if untreated
Yes, Short Stature causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Short Stature is left untreated:
delays in motor skills development
sleep apnea
arthritis
weight gain
crowded teeth
spinal stenosis
eye infections
Procedures for Treatment of Short Stature
The following procedures are used to treat Short Stature:
Limb Surgery: Correcting the direction in which bones are growing and stabilizing the shape of the spine
Self-care for Short Stature
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Short Stature:
have good posture while sitting
consume healthy diet for weight loss
encourage more in recreational activities
avoid using infant devices
use an infant car seat with neck supports
Patient Support for Treatment of Short Stature
The following actions may help Short Stature patients:
Family Support: To emphasize child's skills and provides emotional support for fighting against short stature
Time for Treatment of Short Stature
While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Short Stature to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
Disease cannot be treated but only maintained or effects reduced