Evaluation of a child with abnormal linear growth

The evaluation of growth is an integral part of the well-child exam and pediatric physicians must assess growth and development of children on a regular basis. When a child has short stature or is suspected of having poor linear growth, coordinated efforts can identify if a growth problem exists, and, if so, what steps are necessary to evaluate this problem.

A growth assessment flow diagram can be reviewed that may be helpful in developing a plan for patient evaluation. Since clinical practice varies, a discussion with a pediatric endocrinologist is strongly recommended to determine how this flow fits with their particular recommendations for assessing growth.