title: Metaphyseal growth arrest lines in psychosocial short stature.
abstract: Metaphyseal growth arrest lines are seen in children who experience significant physical stress such as infection or malnutrition over a sufficient period of time. These lines have not been reported previously in children with psychosocial short stature (PSS). Two boys and a girl with PSS with metaphyseal growth arrest lines on skeletal radiographs at the time of maximal stress in their homes are described. All three had reversible growth hormone insufficiency during admission, which is pathognomic for PSS. Multiple growth arrest lines in the distal end of the radius or vertebrae should alert clinicians to an alternative diagnosis in a child with growth hormone insufficiency. This may provide a clue to the diagnosis of occult PSS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: V V
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Khadilkar
authors.forename: F L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Frazer
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Skuse
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stanhope
mesh_terms: D001827:Body Height; D001846:Bone Development; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000172:deficiency; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D019382:Human Growth Hormone