Short Stature in Children (cont.)Medical Author:
Robert Ferry Jr., MD
Robert Ferry Jr., MDRobert Ferry Jr., MD, is a U.S. board-certified Pediatric Endocrinologist. After taking his baccalaureate degree from Yale College, receiving his doctoral degree and residency training in pediatrics at University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA), he completed fellowship training in pediatric endocrinology at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Medical Editor:
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical EditorMelissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology. IN THIS ARTICLE
MedicationsTreatment with medication depends on the cause of short stature. Thyroid hormone replacement therapy is simple and effective for children with hypothyroidism. Recombinant human growth hormone therapy (somatotropin of rDNA origin) is highly effective and safe for growth failure due to growth hormone deficiency and FDA-approved for several other conditions associated with short stature. However, growth hormone is not effective for normal children with short stature (that is, familial short stature). Growth hormone should be administered under the care of a pediatric endocrinologist. |
Women's Health
Find out what women really need.
From WebMD
Parenting & Children's Health Resources
Featured Centers
Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape
Short Stature »
Longitudinal growth assessment is essential in child care.
Featured Topics
Medical Dictionary
Pill Identifier on RxList
- quick, easy,
pill identification
Find a Local Pharmacy
- including 24 hour, pharmacies


