Etiologic analysis of short stature in 596 children in Henan

Objective To survey the etiology of short stature in children in Henan.Methods A total of 596 patients with short stature,aged from 0 to 19 years,were investigated.A questionnaire was defined including disease history,body mass and height,parent's height,pubertal development and laboratory examination to analyze the etiology.Results Among 596 cases of short stature,there were growth hormone deficiency in 279 cases(46.81%),idiopathic short stature in 122 cases(20.47%),constitutional delay of growth and puberty in 44 cases(7.38%),idiopathic central precocious puberty in 41 cases(6.88%),hypothyroidism in 29 cases(4.87%) and Turner's syndrome in 21 cases(3.52%).There were no significant differences in the incidence rates of low birth-weight and low birth-length among children with different etiology(χ2=1.27,P0.05).Conclusion Growth hormone deficiency and idiopathic short stature are the common causes of short stature in Henan.The birth parameters are not correlated with short stature.