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Prevalence and Etiological Profile of Short Stature among School Children in a South Indian Population

Kumaravel Velayutham1, S Sivan Arul Selvan1, R V Jeyabalaji1

  • 1Alpha Hospital and Research Centre, Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism
|December 30, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Short stature (SS) affects 2.86% of South Indian school children, with familial SS being the most common cause. Early detection and monitoring of growth are crucial for identifying and managing potentially correctable conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Public Health
  • Growth and Development

Background:

  • Short stature (SS) is a significant pediatric concern, potentially indicating underlying health issues.
  • Data on the prevalence and causes of SS in India, especially from community-based studies, are limited.
  • Existing research often relies on data from specialized referral centers, not reflecting the general population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of short stature (SS) among school children in a South Indian district.
  • To investigate the etiological profile of SS in this population.
  • To provide a community-based perspective on SS in Indian children.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 15,644 children aged 4-16 years from 23 schools in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu.
  • Anthropometric measurements were taken, and height was plotted on the Khadilkar et al. growth chart.
  • Clinical and laboratory evaluations were conducted for children with height below the third percentile to determine the cause of SS.

Main Results:

  • The prevalence of short stature (SS) was found to be 2.86% (448 out of 15,644 children).
  • Familial SS or constitutional delay in growth was the most frequent cause, accounting for 66.67% of cases.
  • Pathological causes included hypothyroidism (13.79%) and growth hormone deficiency (9.20%), with malnutrition, cardiac disorders, and skeletal dysplasia also identified.

Conclusions:

  • The study established a prevalence of 2.86% for short stature (SS) in the surveyed school children.
  • Familial SS or constitutional delay in growth emerged as the predominant etiological factor.
  • The findings underscore the importance of mandatory growth monitoring in schools to identify and address correctable causes of SS.
Abstract

Keywords:
Etiological profileSouth Indiashort stature

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