Short Stature
Learning Objectives
By the end of this courses, the learners should be bale to:
- Review normal growth in children
- Distinguish normal variant short stature from pathological causes of short stature
- Discuss the diagnosis and management of normal variants and pathological causes of short stature
Intended Audience:
This online course is designed for pediatricians and family physicians.
Abstract:
Short stature is a common clinical concern in pediatrics and requires a systematic approach to differentiate normal variants from pathological conditions. This session will begin with a review of normal growth patterns in children, including expected growth velocities and the interpretation of growth charts and bone age studies. We will then explore how to distinguish normal variant short stature, such as familial short stature and constitutional delay of growth and puberty, from pathological causes, including endocrine disorders (e.g., growth hormone deficiency, growth hormone insensitivity), syndromic conditions (e.g., Turner syndrome), and chronic systemic illnesses (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease). Through case-based discussions, we will highlight diagnostic strategies such as evaluating growth velocity, assessing bone age, and interpreting relevant laboratory tests (e.g., IGF-1, IGFBP-3, growth hormone stimulation testing). Management approaches will be discussed in detail, including criteria for initiating recombinant growth hormone therapy, appropriate referral to pediatric endocrinology, and prognostic factors that influence final height outcomes. We will also review counseling strategies for families, including discussions around treatment expectations and potential side effects.
Assessment and Earning CME Credit:
This course in English is not CME-accredited. However, it provides valuable educational content that can enhance your knowledge and skills in the subject matter. To receive CME credit for this course in Armenia, you must take the course in Armenian and complete the post-course quiz. You have three chances to achieve a passing score of 70%. Once you pass the quiz, we will send your information to the Armenian Ministry of Health for credits.

Dr. Sabitha Sasidharan Pillai
Dr. Sabitha Sasidharan Pillai is a board-certified pediatric endocrinologist with a lifelong passion for caring for children. Inspired by early experiences caring for younger relatives, she pursued pediatrics at Government Medical College in Calicut, Kerala, India, where she also completed her residency. Her interest in endocrinology was sparked by a transformative experience treating a child with diabetes. Following her residency, Dr. Pillai helped establish Pediatric Endocrinology and Obesity Clinics in Calicut before completing a Pediatric Endocrinology Fellowship at Brown University.