Investigation and management of tall stature

Abstract

Referral for an assessment of tall stature is much less common than for short stature. Although the commonest cause is an underlying familial tendency to tallness, there are important disorders that should be considered at the initial assessment. Distinguishing these conditions from normal variations of growth is the key objective when managing the child and family. In some children, further targeted investigations will be needed and in rare instances intervention to limit final height may be appropriate. This article discusses a structured approach to the assessment and management of a child with tall stature.

Allometric Variation in Modern Humans and the Relationship Between Body Proportions and Elite Athletic Success

“…However, the number of investigations into typical variation in limb proportions among people of particularly tall stature are few and far between, and are overwhelmingly focused on pathological height (Davies & Cheetham, 2014).…”

Long-term follow-up after bilateral percutaneous epiphysiodesis around the knee to reduce excessive predicted final height

“…Little is known about the complications in patients who underwent PE bilaterally to reduce excessive final height 20. No studies have been performed on patient satisfaction after surgical treatment with bilateral PE.…”

The Physiology of Childhood Growth: Hormonal Regulation

“…At 2 years of age, the children have usually found a more steady growth rate where they do not cross height centiles and then follow this path until puberty with similar growth patterns in boys and girls [6]. Contrary to the growth during infancy, nutrition has less influence on growth during this period whereas hormonal regulators are more important [7].…”