7 Intrauterine growth retardation and familial short stature

Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is an important cause of small stature in children presenting to paediatric endocrinologists. IUGR has to be differentiated from familial ('constitutional') short stature, where the growth deficit is genetically determined and/or induced by smallness of the mother (maternal constraint). Intrinsic fetal anomalies such as chromosomal abnormalities, primary growth failure syndromes, congenital infections and...