Diagnosing growth hormone deficiency (GHD) in children remains clinically challenging due to the absence of a definitive diagnostic gold standard. Short stature is a common reason for pediatric endocrine evaluation, but it may result from several causes including constitutional delay of growth and puberty, genetic short stature, chronic illness, or endocrine disorders. Therefore, identifying children who require further endocrine investigation requires a careful and systematic clinical approach.
Current evidence highlights that auxology and clinical judgment remain the most important elements in diagnosing GHD. Assessment of height, growth velocity, bone age, and clinical history provides the foundation for identifying children who may require further evaluation. Consensus guidelines recommend investigation when there is severe short stature, significant deviation from mid-parental…
