الفهرس 
INTRODUCTIONOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Growth monitoring in infancy and childhood has been part of preventive child health programs for more than a century, and accurate longitudinal growth assessment is a fundamental aspect of health maintenance in children.
Longitudinal bone growth is tightly governed by complex endocrine controls such that optimal growth occurs only in a healthy, well-nourished individual. The hormonal factors include growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factors, thyroid hormone and the sex steroids during puberty.
Short stature as an isolated characteristic may constitute a risk factor for behavioral and emotional problems. This is not only because of barriers in everyday life caused by height-related physical limitations, but also because short stature can be regarded as a social stigma, which in turn may affect self-perception and the social integration of persons with short stature.
Short stature is defined as a standing height more than two standard deviation (SD) below the mean (or below the 2.5th percentile) for age and sex compared with a well-nourished, genetically relevant population. It is one of the most common reasons for referral to a pediatric endocrinologist. Identifying the underlying etiology of short stature is crucial for early prevention and treatment.
The aim of this study is to categorize children with short stature who attended the endocrinology clinic of Alexandria University Children’s Hospital between January 2009 and January 2014 depending on their clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings, and to evaluate the quality of care provided to them.