[Evaluation of short stature in boys: delayed growth or constitutional short size?]

When assessing a child with short stature it may be difficult to differentiate between delayed growth and adolescence and constitutional short stature, which usually provide a completely different prognosis of adult height. The growth data on 43 boys were retrospectively studied after they had reached adult height. Two groups were differentiated according to their final height, i.e. boys with delayed growth and adolescence; and boys with constitutional short stature. From these data a discriminant analysis was worked out that could be used as a means to facilitate the prediction of adult height in boys short stature.