Nashwa Mohamed Baha Elddin
Cairo University, Egypt
Title: Challenges in the management of short stature
Biography
Biography: Nashwa Mohamed Baha Elddin
Abstract
Human growth is regulated by genetic, hormonal, nutritional and environmental factors that interact to culminate in a complex process of cell replication in all tissues. Short stature is defined as height below 3rd centile or less than two Standard Deviations (SDs) below the median height for that age and sex according to the population standard or even if the height is within the normal percentiles but growth velocity is consistently below 25th percentile over 6-12 months of observation. It is estimated that short stature to be around 3-5%. The prevalence of Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) is around 1 in 4,000. Evidence-based procedures, relating specifically to height screening for identification of short stature, auxological criteria for patient referral from primary to secondary pediatric care and general and endocrine investigations and diagnosis should be followed. The Guidelines for Growth Hormone and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Treatment in Children and Adolescents. The rationale for treating short stature in childhood includes increasing height and alleviating psychosocial disability while maintaining favorable risk, benefit and cost, benefit ratios. Selection among management options may therefore depend on the degree to which each one meets these goals.