A child has short stature (growth disorder) if their height is in the bottom 3% compared to most other kids their age, gender, and ethnicity. Proportionate short stature is when the child is short, but all body parts are in their usual proportions. In disproportionate short stature, the arms and legs may be short compared to the torso, or vice versa.  

Not all kids with short stature have a growth disorder. Some are just naturally smaller. However, if a child’s height falls below the third percentile line on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention clinical growth chart, their pediatrician may recommend running tests to see if there’s something more going on. 

Short stature can happen for different reasons. Sometimes, it’s familial, which means being short runs in the family. There are also several genetic disorders, including achondroplasia, Down syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Turner syndrome, and Noonan syndrome, that can lead to short stature.  

Other times, it’s due to an underlying medical reason, such as not getting enough food to eat or not absorbing nutrients from food correctly. Chronic illnesses that put extra stress on the body, like congenital heart disease, kidney and lung problems, or digestive issues, can also affect growth. 

Another cause is a lack of growth hormone, which is a special chemical made by the body that helps kids grow. If a child’s body doesn’t make enough of this hormone, they might not grow as tall as they should. When doctors can’t find a clear reason why a child is shorter, this is called idiopathic short stature. 

A pediatrician is usually the first doctor to identify short stature and may refer families to other pediatric specialists to help address symptoms. For example, if short stature is due to nutritional deficiencies, the pediatrician may recommend the parents see a dietician for guidance. 

If short stature is due to hormone problems, a pediatric endocrinologist is the doctor to see because they focus on diagnosing and treating hormone-related issues like growth hormone deficiency, early or delayed puberty, and thyroid problems. Pediatric endocrinologists are specially trained to understand how hormone issues affect children as they grow and develop.  

First, doctors will use different tests and tools to figure out the root cause of the growth disorder. Sometimes, they use X-rays to look at the bones in the child’s hand and wrist, which can show how fast the bones are growing. They may also run blood tests to see if the child is making enough growth hormone or other important hormones that help the body grow. Once they figure out the cause of short stature, they can create a treatment plan to help the child grow and stay healthy. 

Growth hormone therapy is the most common treatment for hormone-related growth disorder. This entails giving the child regular shots of synthetic growth hormone, usually once a day, over several years. During this time, doctors will closely watch the child’s growth to see if the treatment is working. They might measure the child’s height every few months and adjust the dose as needed. The goal is to help the child reach as close to their potential adult height as possible. 

There are various reasons why you may want to see a specialist, such as: 

• Your primary care provider recommends it. 

• Your condition requires expert knowledge and specialized care. 

• Your symptoms persist or worsen despite treatment. 

• You need specialized testing or procedures. 

• You want a second opinion.  

It’s important to see a provider with expertise in your specific condition. Each provider profile in MediFind’s doctor database includes information on which conditions they treat, years of experience, research contributions, languages spoken, insurance plans accepted, and more.  

You can find a Short Stature (Growth Disorders) doctor in any of the 10 largest U.S. cities by clicking below:

Short Stature (Growth Disorders) doctor near New York, NY
Short Stature (Growth Disorders) doctor near Los Angeles, CA
Short Stature (Growth Disorders) doctor near Chicago, IL
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Short Stature (Growth Disorders) doctor near Philadelphia, PA
Short Stature (Growth Disorders) doctor near Atlanta, GA
Short Stature (Growth Disorders) doctor near Boston, MA
Short Stature (Growth Disorders) doctor near Dallas, TX
Short Stature (Growth Disorders) doctor near San Jose, CA

MediFind’s rankings are based on a variety of data sources, such as the number of articles a doctor has published in medical journals, participation in clinical trials and industry conferences, as well as the number of patients that provider sees for a given condition. Note that MediFind’s provider database is not based on user reviews, and providers do not pay to be included in the database. 

Most profiles in MediFind’s doctor database include a list of insurance plans accepted by that provider. However, it’s a good idea to contact the provider’s office to make sure they still accept your insurance, then doublecheck by contacting your insurance plan to confirm they’re in network. 

MediFind offers direct scheduling for certain providers using the “Request Appointment” button on that provider’s profile. If the schedule option is not available for a provider, tap the red “Show Phone Number” button on their profile to get their contact information. If you prefer to find providers who offer online scheduling, select “Schedules online” under the “Availability” category of the filter feature on the left side of the Short Stature (Growth Disorders) doctor search results page. 

Second opinions are an opportunity to confirm a diagnosis and its root cause, learn about alternative treatment options, or simply gain peace of mind. Many people, especially those with serious diagnoses, get second opinions so they can understand all their options and make informed decisions, so don’t hesitate to get one if you have any doubts or need more information or clarification regarding your care. Note that some insurance plans require second opinions, while others don’t cover second opinions, so be sure to confirm with your insurance provider first.   

Prepare for your appointment by gathering the following items: 

• Copies of medical records (dating back at least one year) 

• Your medical history, including illnesses, medical conditions, surgeries, and other doctors you see 

• Family history of disease 

• List of current prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal remedies or supplements including names and doses 

• Allergies to medications, food, latex, insects, etc.  

• List of questions and concerns 

• Your insurance card 

You might also contact the provider’s office to see if they offer transportation or childcare services or if you’re allowed to bring a loved one for support or to take notes during your visit. 

Here are some sample questions: 

• Can you explain in simple terms what this condition is and how it’s treated? 

• What symptoms or side effects should I watch for? 

• What tests will be involved, and when can I expect results? 

• Are there other specialists I need to see? 

• What’s the best way to reach you if I have follow-up questions? 

MediFind’s Clinical Trials tool asks you a series of questions to help you narrow down your search by health condition, age, gender, location, how far you’re willing to travel, and more. Each question you answer filters down the number of trials until you find the ones that are most relevant to you. 

MediFind’s Latest Advances tool features summaries of recent articles published in medical journals. We use cutting-edge technology to scour medical publication databases for the latest research advancements on any given condition, then we simplify this information in a way that’s useful and easy to understand. 

Look for the filter feature on the left side of the Short Stature (Growth Disorders) doctor search results page. Select “Female” or “Male” under the “Gender” category to search for female or male providers exclusively. If the “Any” option is selected, it will pull results for both male and female providers. 

Look for the filter feature on the left-side of the Short Stature (Growth Disorders) doctor search results page. Select “Offers telehealth visits” under the Availability category to search for providers who offer virtual appointments (video calls). 

Reviewed on: 11/11/24  

By: MediFind Medical Staff 

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