Tall Stature

Tall stature may accompany disorders such as sexual precocity and simple obesity, and not be the prime concern. Tall stature is usually associated with one of four broad aetiological categories: familial tall stature/constitutional advance in growth; simple obesity; syndromic tall stature; and endocrine causes. This chapter provides information on pathogenesis and differential diagnosis, assessment of the child or adolescent with tall stature, investigations, endocrine causes, and treatment of tall stature. Three forms of therapy have either been used or are under consideration: high‐dose sex‐steroid therapy; growth hormone (GH)‐suppressive therapy using a somatostatin analogue; and GH receptor antagonist therapy. The indication for the use of sex steroids to reduce final height is based on evidence that abnormally high circulating levels will advance skeletal maturation and eventually cause early epiphyseal fusion. The chapter also includes information on future developments, when to involve a specialist centre, controversial points, potential pitfalls, case histories, and further reading.