Reversible somatotropin deficiency (psychosocial dwarfism) presenting as conduct disorder and growth hormone...

The syndrome of reversible somatotropin deficiency (psychosocial dwarfism) is characterized by environment-related impairment of stature and mental growth and growth-hormone secretion. The syndrome is well illustrated by this case report of an eight-year-old boy with psychosocial dwarfism since the third year of life. It was undetected for four years, despite his having been in regular contact with a number of health workers. After he was removed from the deleterious environment, both his growth and behaviour improved markedly, and at follow-up he had maintained this progress.