A: There are many causes of dwarfism, and in order to treat it, we must find out the cause and make a correct diagnosis, and then consider how to treat it. In order to find out the cause of the disease, we must first investigate through medical history, physical and laboratory examinations, and based on detailed information and laboratory results, we will make a comprehensive analysis to determine the cause of childhood dwarfism and finally determine the principle of treatment.
Parents of children with short stature should provide the following information when they visit the hospital: 1. the mother’s pregnancy, the baby’s condition at birth, whether the birth was difficult or asphyxiated, and what kind of delivery method was used, height and weight at birth, etc. 2.
2. The annual rate of height growth, which is measured by removing the shoes.
3. Parents’ height and youth development, and whether there is short stature in the family.
4.Intellectual development, the presence of chronic hepatitis, kidney disease and asthma.
5.Whether the child has used drugs that affect growth and development, such as prednisone (prednisone), dexamethasone and other glucocorticoids, etc.
When the child arrives at the hospital, blood and urine tests, liver and kidney function tests and thyroid hormone level tests are routinely performed, and karyotype analysis of chromosomes is done for girls. Next, an x-ray of the left wrist and metacarpal finger is needed to understand the age of the bones and to determine the growth of the bones, the degree of epiphyseal closure and the growth potential of the child. If necessary, blood tests for growth hormone and growth factors will be taken. In addition, if short stature is considered to be growth hormone deficiency, a growth hormone stimulation test is required for diagnosis. MRI of the skull is performed in all children with short stature to rule out the possibility of congenital developmental abnormalities or tumors.
Please note: Some tests may require fasting, so please note that you should avoid eating before the test. Some tests may not produce results on the same day, so please consult your treating doctor for details.