Define short stature
Height more than 2 standard deviations below the average for their age & sex/ height below the 2nd centile for their age & sex
(this is the same as being below the 2nd centile. Remember centile space is 2/3 of standard deviation so 3 centile spaces is 2 standard deviations. Centiles are 0.4th, 2nd, 9th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 91st and 99.6th. Average heigh tis the 50th centile so 2 standard deviations below is 3 centiles below the 50th centile which is the 2nd centile)
State some potential causes for short stature
For constitutional delay in growth & puberty, discuss:
When does puberty start in:
How long does it take to finish?
Puberty usually takes about 4yrs from start to finish
Discuss the order of puberty-related changes in girls

Discuss the order of puberty-related changes in boys

What staging can be used to determine pubertal stage?
Tanner scale (based pm examination findings of sexual characteristics)
Discuss tanner staging for girls
For girls, look at both breast development & pubic hair. Stage 1-5:
Breast Development
1: No glandular breast tissue
2: Breeast bud
3: Breast tissue palpable outside areola
4: Areolar elevated forming ‘double scoop’ appearance
5: Areolar mound recedes back with areolar hyperpigmentation, papillae development & nipple protrusion
Pubic Hair
1: No hair
2: Initial growth of long, straight and lightly coloured hairs
3: Pubic hair is s becomes darker, coarser, curlier and spread scarcely over mons pubis
4: Abundant adult type pubic hair (terminal hair) over mons
5: Adult pubic hair distribution- classic traingle. Some may have hair that extends beyond inguinal crease onto medial thigh

Discuss tanner staging for boys
For boys, look at both male external genitalia and pubic hair. Stages 1-5:
Male external genitalia
1: Testicular volume <4ml or long axis <2.5cm
2: Enlargement of scrotum & testes so that testicular volume is >/= 4ml. Penis may have grown a little in length.
3: Testes continue to enlarge, penis grown in length
4: Testes continue to enlarge, penis grown in both length & width. Head of penis become larger.
5. Adult sized & shaped penis & testes
Pubic hair
1: No hair
2: Initial growth of long, straight and lightly coloured hairs at root of penis
3: Pubic hair is s becomes darker, coarser- mostly at the root of penis
4: Abundant adult type pubic hair (terminal hair) which reaches thights
5: Adult pubic hair distribution with hair extending up towards umbilicus & may spread to medial thighs

Hypogonadism can cause a delay in puberty; define hypogonadism
Lack of sex hormones, oestrogen & testosterone/decreased functional activity of gonads
Hypogonadism can be:
… describe each
For hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism, discuss:
GnRH (gonadotrophin releasing hormone) is release by hypothalamus and stimulates the anterior pituitary to release LSH and FSH. LH and FSH are gonadotrophins which stimulate the gonads to produce sex hormones. Deficiency of either GnRH or LH and FSH can lead to decreased sex hormones.
Occurs due to either abnormal functioning of the hypothalamus or the pituitary:
For hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism, discuss:
GnRH, LH and FSH are released as they should be but the gonads show a lack of response to the gonadotrophins LH & FSH. There is no negative feedback from the sex hormones hence anterior pituitary produces increasing amounts of LH & FSH in attempt to stimulte the gonads hence you get high levels of gonadotrophins (hypergonadotrophic).
Occurs due to abnormally functioning gonads:
Remind yourself what Kallman syndrome is
Genetic syndrome causing hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism and an impaired (reduced or absent) sense of smell
Remind yourself what Turner’s syndrome is
Female only genetic disorder in which child only has 1 X chromosome (as opposed to 2); hence karyotype is XO. Ovaries do not complete normal development and hence there is a lack of oestrogen resulting in hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. Treat with HRT. See image for characteristics.
Remind yourself what Kleinfelter’s sydnrome is
Boys are born with extra X chromosome so have karotype XXY. Symptoms & signs:
At what age would you be concerned an start investigations for delayed puberty in:
Discuss what investigations you may consider if you suspect delayed puberty; for each state why
Blood Tests
Imaging
Genetic testing
Briefly discuss the management of delayed puberty
Depends on cause but may include:
State some examples of developmental screening/assessment tools
What is the role of growth hormone in children?
*NOTE: in adults GH is important for maintaining muscle & bone mass, healing & repair and modulating metabolism and body composition
State some congenital causes of GH deficiency
State some acquired causes of GH deficiency
Congenital
Acquired
GH deficiency can occur in isolation or in combination with other pituitary hormone deficiencies e.g. hypothyroidism, adrenal insufficiency, gonadotrophin deficiencies; what is it called when pituitary does not produce a number of pituitary hormones?
Hypopituitarism
Describe presentation of GH deficiency in:
Neonates/at birth
Infants/children