Each child’s growth is defined by various factors.

• Genetic potential (average of parents’ height)
• Nutrition
• Systemic disorders like untreated Hypothyroidism, poorly Controlled systemic diseases
• Exposure to drugs like steroids.
• Syndromes like Turner’s syndrome, Skeletal dysplasias.

The child’s height and weight needs to be evaluated by a trained Pediatric Endocrinologist, the growth curve is plotted. If required, basic and advanced blood tests are conducted. A rarer cause of short height could be “Growth hormone deficiency” which requires treatment with Growth hormone therapy.

Timely detection of the cause and its treatment can prevent a shorter adult height in future.