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Abnormalities of Linear Growth

I. Normal growth

A. Growth is an index of general health, nutrition, and growth, genetics

B. Between 2 years of age and the onset of puberty, children maintain the same percentile on growth curve. A growth rate of growth less than 5 cm/yr after age 3 years, requires further assessment.

C. Deviations from the normal pattern endocrinologic disorders, abnormalities of linear growth can be caused by to wide variety of endocrine and non-endocrine disorders.

II. Short Stature

A. Defined as height below the third endocrinologic disorders, abnormalities of linear growth, tall stature, short stature, midget, short height percentile (<1.88 SD) for age and sex. The pattern of growth, rather than absolute position on growth curve, is the most critical factor.