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Short stature refers to a height that is significantly below the average for a child’s age and sex, and it may result from normal variation or an underlying medical condition. Common causes include familial short stature, constitutional delay of growth and puberty, growth hormone deficiency, hypothyroidism, chronic illness, malnutrition, and genetic syndromes. In some children, growth slows because the body is not getting enough nutrients or because a long-term disease is affecting development.

Doctors usually assess growth pattern, family height, puberty stage, and overall health to find the cause. Treatment depends on what is causing the problem and may include nutrition support, hormone replacement, or therapy for the underlying illness. When diagnosed early, many causes of short stature can be managed effectively, and some children may still reach a healthier growth rate.