Theoretical growth evaluation (TGE). A computerized screening system for growth disorders.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Medical Informatics

Background:

• Growth disorders require timely and accurate diagnosis.
• Referral to specialists can be resource-intensive.
• Objective screening tools can aid clinical decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a computerized screening system for growth disorders.
• To enhance efficiency in identifying patients needing specialized evaluation.
• To provide a decision-support tool for clinicians.

Main Methods:

• Utilizes hand and wrist radiography for bone age assessment (Greulich and Pyle, Tanner et al.).
• Collects patient data including birth date, height, weight, and parental height.
• Employs computer analysis to compare data with norms, calculate height predictions, and estimate target height.

Main Results:

• The system processes bone age and patient data to generate growth curves.
• Calculates multiple height predictions (Bayley and Pinneau, Roche et al., Tanner et al.) and target height.
• Outputs diagnostic suggestions based on height percentiles, bone age, and predicted vs. target height.

Conclusions:

• The computerized system effectively aids in screening for growth disorders.
• It streamlines the process of referring patients for specialized pediatric endocrinology evaluation.
• The system offers a practical and efficient approach to diagnosing growth problems.