Which statement best describes constitutional growth delay?

Which statement best describes constitutional growth delay?

• A. Delayed growth with eventual normal growth
• B. Absence of any genetic component
• C. Height remains below skeletal age even after puberty
• D. Bone age is always advanced

Answer: (A)

Constitutional growth delay is a pattern where a child is shorter for age because skeletal maturation is delayed, yet growth velocity is normal and puberty occurs later. The key feature is a bone age that lags behind chronological age, with eventual catch-up growth leading to a normal adult height. That’s why the statement describing delayed growth with eventual normal growth fits best—the child grows over time and reaches a typical height despite starting behind peers. It’s also commonly familial, so a genetic component is often present, and the bone age is not typically advanced (it is delayed). Height remaining below skeletal age after puberty and bone age being consistently advanced do not describe the usual course of constitutional growth delay.

Constitutional growth delay is a pattern where a child is shorter for age because skeletal maturation is delayed, yet growth velocity is normal and puberty occurs later. The key feature is a bone age that lags behind chronological age, with eventual catch-up growth leading to a normal adult height. That’s why the statement describing delayed growth with eventual normal growth fits best—the child grows over time and reaches a typical height despite starting behind peers. It’s also commonly familial, so a genetic component is often present, and the bone age is not typically advanced (it is delayed). Height remaining below skeletal age after puberty and bone age being consistently advanced do not describe the usual course of constitutional growth delay.