Idiopathic Short Stature (ISS)

Idiopathic Short Stature (also known as ISS) is a diagnosis used for children who are short with no known cause. Idiopathic Short Stature is a problem that can be present in both girls and boys. Many causes of short stature have been discovered over the past few years, but there are still factors that are not yet understood. ISS falls into to this latter category.

Idiopathic Short Stature is defined as having a height significantly shorter than the normal population (i.e., shorter than 1.2% of the population of the same age and gender), a poor adult height prediction (generally defined as less than 5’4” for males and less than 4’11” for feamles), and no detectable cause for the short stature. This condition is normally diagnosed by a Pediatric Endocrinologist after a full investigation of the medical history, a complete physical examination, and the exclusion of any chronic medical condition or other hormonal abnormality. The work-up for a diagnosis of Idiopathic Short Stature, although a simple diagnosis, may require a series of blood and/or other tests to be done to rule out various medical conditions that are known to affect height. Although the reasons for ISS are not yet totally understood, it is known that the administration of growth-promoting treatments may help affected children

Useful Links:

The MAGIC Foundation ISS Information Page (http://www.magicfoundation.org/www/docs/11.1404/)

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