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Final height and predicted height in boys with untreated constitutional growth delay

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Abstract

Abstract

We report on 49 boys with constitutional growth delay (CGD) who were initially seen in our clinic at a mean chronological age of 13.3 years (range, 7.3–16.4) and a bone age of 11.1 years (range, 6.0–13.5). All were below the 5th height percentile for chronological age. A positive family history with delayed growth and puberty in one or both parents could be elicited in 75%. All 49 patients were re-examined at a mean age of 22.9 years (range, 20.4–31.2). Measured final height was 171.3 cm (range, 161.2–181.7), which was slightly, but significantly lower than mean target height of 173.0 cm. Final height expressed as standard deviation score (SDS) of a male adult population standard was −1.0 (range. −2.4 to +0.5), also significantly lower than initial height SDS related to bone age (SDSBA) of −0.5 (range, −1.6 to +1.2). If related to target height (Tanner), final height was found to correlate positively with the initial bone age deficit and the initial height SDSBA. Observed final height was also compared with the predicted adult height by the methods of Bayley-Pinneau (BP), Tanner-Whitehouse Mark II (TW II) and Roche-Wainer-Thissen. Regression equations between all three prediction methods and final height showed an excellent correlation (P<0.0001). However, only by the BP method was predicted height very close to and no different from measured final height (pairedt-test). Despite this, final height in 16 of 49 patients (32.6%) differed by more than 5.0 cm from BP predicted height. An overwhelming majority of the patients *88.6%) expressed complete or reasonable satisfaction with their adult height.

Conclusion

In our sample of male patients with CGD, adult height came close to but did not quite reach mean target height. The BP prediction method offers a good compromise between simplicity and accuracy but must be used judiciously because individual discrepancies with attained final height may be large and unexplained.

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Abbreviations

BA :

bone age

BP :

Bayley-Pinneau

CA :

chronological age

CGD :

constitutional growth delay

GP :

Greulich and Pyle

RWT :

Roche-Wainer-Thissen

SDS :

standard deviation score

TW :

Tanner-Whitehouse

TH :

target height

TW2, RUS :

Tanner-Whitehouse 2, radius-ulna-short bones

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universitäts-Kinderklinik, Lindwurmstrasse 4, D-80337, München, Germany

    M. Sperlich, O. Butenandt & H. P. Schwarz

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  1. M. Sperlich
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  2. O. Butenandt
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  3. H. P. Schwarz
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Sperlich, M., Butenandt, O. & Schwarz, H.P. Final height and predicted height in boys with untreated constitutional growth delay. Eur J Pediatr 154, 627–632 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02079065

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