Short stature

Short stature is a common reason for pediatric endocrine referral and may reflect a normal growth variant or an underlying systemic, genetic, skeletal, nutritional, or endocrine disorder. This chapter presents a practical approach to early recognition, accurate anthropometry and auxology, interpretation of body proportions and bone age, and tiered investigations suited to routine clinical practice. It highlights key referral criteria and an algorithmic pathway to distinguish physiological growth patterns from treatable pathological causes, enabling timely diagnosis and appropriate specialist management.