Short stature in Saudi Arabia: Etiologic profile in adult endocrine clinic

Background: To determine causes of short stature (SS) in adult endocrine service at a Saudi Arabian tertiary center. Methods: A retrospective analysis was made of data from 104 subjects who were primarily evaluated for causes of SS in the endocrinology unit of King Khalid University Hospital Riyadh from January 1997 to December 2006. Results: Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and normal variant short stature (NVSS) were the leading causes of SS contributing 90 subjects (86%; 43% for each), followed by celiac disease in 4 subjects (4%). Other etiologies of short stature included primary hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus, and Turner's syndrome (2% each). Conclusion: We conclude that GHD and NVSS are the commonest causes of SS in Saudi Arabia. In view of the need to differentiate the two major etiologies, it is suggested that growth hormone stimulatory tests be conducted on all patients with SS associated with delayed bone age. Further prospective study in a larger population is needed to characterize this finding.