Approach and management of constitutional delay in growth and sexual maturation

Abstract

Constitutional delay in growth and puberty is a common and benign condition for which treatment is usually not indicated. However, there is mounting evidence suggesting that adults with a history of constitutional delay in growth and puberty have a lower bone mineral content and density than the normal population. The psychological stress of being short during adolescence may also induce long lasting impact on their social and career development. Appropriate timing of hormonal treatment of such adolescents can advance the timing of height acceleration without compromising their final adult height. In this review, I will discuss the rationale of this approach.