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syndrome may have normal growth velocity, if associated with concurrent

hypersecretion of GH or thyroxine.

59. Why is short stature a common manifestation of juvenile hypothyroidism?

Short stature is a common manifestation of juvenile hypothyroidism and is

invariably associated with retarded bone age (CA > HA = BA). The causes of

poor linear growth in a child with hypothyroidism include reduced basal and

stimulated GH secretion, decreased IGF1 generation, and impaired prolifera-

tion and maturation of chondrocytes at growth plate. Moreover, pubertal delay

in children with long-standing untreated hypothyroidism also contributes to

short stature (Fig. 1.17).

ab

Fig. 1.17 (a) A 16-year-old child with short stature due to long-standing untreated congenital
hypothyroidism. (b) Myxedematous facial features in the same child

1 Disorders of Growth and Development: Clinical Perspectives