The primary care pediatric nurse practitioner is evaluating a child who has short stature. Although bone age studies reveal a delay in bone age, the child's growth is consistent with bone age. Which diagnosis is most likely?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The delay in bone age with consistent growth is indicative of constitutional growth delay, which is a common normal variant of growth and development. Growth hormone deficiency and idiopathic short stature typically have normal bone age but demonstrate a lack of growth corresponding to the child's chronological age. Klinefelter syndrome may result in short stature, but it is typically associated with other physical findings such as hypogonadism and learning difficulties.

The Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Is Evaluating a Child