Which statement is true about constitutional growth delay?

Which statement is true about constitutional growth delay?

• A. It is usually genetic
• B. It is always due to chronic disease
• C. Endocrinologic testing is always needed
• D. It prevents normal adult height

Answer: (A)

Constitutional growth delay is a benign pattern where skeletal maturation lags behind chronological age. The child grows at a normal rate for their bone age, but the bone age itself is delayed, and puberty tends to start later. Because this pattern often runs in families, a genetic basis is common, which is why the statement that it is usually genetic is true. It is not due to chronic disease; otherwise healthy children can have CGD, and the diagnosis isn’t based on the presence of another illness. Endocrine testing is not always needed; the typical approach relies on growth velocity and bone age assessment, with further endocrine workup reserved for atypical cases or red flags. Finally, CGD does not prevent normal adult height—the final adult height is usually within the normal range, albeit reached later due to delayed puberty.

Constitutional growth delay is a benign pattern where skeletal maturation lags behind chronological age. The child grows at a normal rate for their bone age, but the bone age itself is delayed, and puberty tends to start later. Because this pattern often runs in families, a genetic basis is common, which is why the statement that it is usually genetic is true.

It is not due to chronic disease; otherwise healthy children can have CGD, and the diagnosis isn’t based on the presence of another illness. Endocrine testing is not always needed; the typical approach relies on growth velocity and bone age assessment, with further endocrine workup reserved for atypical cases or red flags. Finally, CGD does not prevent normal adult height—the final adult height is usually within the normal range, albeit reached later due to delayed puberty.