ARE SHORT BOYS DISADVANTAGED AS ADULTS - A REEVALUATION OF 77 MEN WITH CONSTITUTIONAL GROWTH DELAY AND (OR) FAMILIAL SHORT STATURE

Out of a total of 119 adult males seen in our clinic for short stature in childhood, but not treated (no organic cause for short stature and no endocrine failure), 77 (mean age 24.5 [20-30] years) were re-evaluated. At initial presentation (mean age 13.7 years) their heights were 2.4 (1.5-4.0) SDs below the mean height for age. The mean final height attained was 167.4 (158.3-181.2) cm, or -1.5 (-2.85 to +0.45) SDs from the population mean. Objective parameters (marital status, number of children, school leaving qualifications, career development) and subjective attitudes of the former patients to their height were assessed. The proportion of subjects who were married (15.6%) and the number of children (a total of 16) did not differ significantly from the population mean (18.1% married, expected number of children = 12). There was a trend towards higher educational achievement (23.4% vs. 19.5% >>Abitur<< [academic school leaving examination] or >>Fachabitur<< [technical school leaving examination]). Between 80 and 95% of the former patients reported that their height presented no handicap in daily life, in seeking a partner or in their careers. On the hypothetical question of treatment with a growth accelerator, enthusiasm was negatively correlated with height in childhood and the final height attained (Spearman rank correlation, P < 0.01). The explanations concerning disordered growth given at the time were seen as useful by only about half of the former patients.