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Child stunting
Last reviewed: 08.07.2025
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Stunting is defined as a child's height being less than the 3rd percentile. If both parents are short, it is logical to expect that the child will also be short - constitutional causes of short stature account for approximately 80% of children with stunting. A fairly important cause of stunting is hypopituitarism, which becomes clinically apparent after the age of 2. It is important to pay attention to whether there are any accompanying symptoms, such as obesity, and this is in the absence of any other reasons that inhibit growth. The corresponding parameters are for children over 1 year old.
Growth hormone (GH) deficiency is determined by an abnormal increase in the level of this hormone in the blood [peak hormone concentration of less than 15 mIU/L after stimulants such as sleep or hypoglycemia (caused, for example, by glucagon or intravenous insulin)]. It is advisable to perform screening examination to identify children with growth retardation already in preschool age. For the prevention of growth retardation to be effective, synthetic growth hormone should be prescribed to such children as early as possible. Approximate doses: 0.5-0.7 IU/kg per week subcutaneously, during puberty the doses may be somewhat higher.
Daily administration of the hormone appears to be more appropriate than the previously recommended 3 times a week. Such children may also have a deficiency of other pituitary hormones. Other causes of growth retardation include: malnutrition, intrauterine growth retardation, thyroid insufficiency, achondroplasia. (Note: hyperthyroidism, precocious puberty, Marfan syndrome, homocystinuride may also cause very tall stature.)
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