Abstract
The methods used by pediatricians to predict final height in children with IUGR have not been validated. We were able to compare actual vs predicted adult height in 44 patients (21M/23F) born at term (39±1.8wks) with height 43.6±2.8 cm and weight 2200±500 g. Their fathers' height averaged 170±6 cm and mothers' height 157±5 cm. All children were evaluated for short stature between 4 and 12 yrs of age: all had normal GH values, skeletal X-rays, and caryotype.
Final height was calculated using Bailey-Pinneau prediction abaques: 170±4 cm in boys and 157.5±3.5 cm in girls. These values were higher than the actual heights of these adult individuals: 162±8 cm in boys (p<0.001) and 147.6±7 cm in girls (p<0.001). Adult height correlated with height at birth (r=0.45, p<0.02) and at 2 yrs of age (r=0.56, p<0.01), but not with parental height.
Our conclusion is that the height prognosis based on available prediction techniques is too optimistic by a mean of 8-10 cm, an important indication if GH therapy is contemplated in children with IUGR.
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Chaussain, J., Ducret, J. & Job, J. ACTUAL VERSUS PREDICTED FINAL HEIGHT IN PATIENTS WITH INTRA-UTERINE GROWTH RETARDATION (IUGR). Pediatr Res 33 (Suppl 5), S38 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199305001-00211
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199305001-00211