Abstract
Although complications of neurofibromatosis (NF) such as scoliosis or optic gliomata are well recognised to impair growth in affected patients, it is uncertain whether the disease in the absence of such findings may affect growth. To elucidate this, the heights of 124 patients with NF were compared with those seen in 34 non affected siblings. The patients with NF originated from 42 different families and ranged in age from 2 to 65 years. The diagnosis was confirmed in all cases by the same observer (SMH) according to currently accepted dermatological criteria. Height measurements were made using a Holtain stadiometer. All patients with complications likely to affect height were excluded from the study. Height data was expressed as standard deviation scores (SDS) according to current United Kingdom growth standards. The mean ± SD height SDS of patients with NF was -1,20 ± 1,07 which is significantly lower than that of -0,12 ± 1,02, which was noted in non affected siblings (p<0.001). No significant difference was observed between the height SDS of male and female patients with NF. These findings demonstrate that NF may impair growth in affected individuals by as yet undetermined mechanisms.
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Huson, S., Herber, S. & Milner, R. 63 THE EFFECT OF NEUROFIBROMATOSIS ON GROWTH. Pediatr Res 24, 527 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198810000-00084
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198810000-00084