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Many referrals under Dutch short stature guidelines
S van Buuren1, D J A Bonnemaijer-Kerckhoffs, F K Grote
1Dept of Child Health, TNO Prevention and Health, Leiden, Netherlands.
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|March 23, 2004
Summary
Over 38% of children may require referrals for short stature, indicating current Dutch guidelines need revision. This study analyzed data from 970 children aged 0-10 years.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Growth Disorders
Background:
- Short stature affects a significant number of children.
- Accurate referral guidelines are crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment.
- Current Dutch consensus guidelines for short stature require evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the referral rate for short stature in children under strict adherence to Dutch guidelines.
- To identify potential areas for guideline revision.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal data from 970 children aged 0-10 years were analyzed.
- Referral criteria were strictly applied based on the Dutch consensus guidelines.
Main Results:
- An estimated 38% of all children would necessitate one or more referrals.
- The high referral rate suggests potential over-referral or overly strict criteria.
Conclusions:
- The current Dutch consensus guidelines for short stature referral appear to generate a high volume of referrals.
- Revision of the existing guidelines is recommended to optimize the referral process and resource allocation.