Constitutional delay of growth and puberty

What is Constitutional Delay of Growth and Puberty?

Constitutional Delay of Growth and Puberty (CDGP) is the most common cause of short stature in males. It’s more common in males, but it can affect females too. CDGP is a variant of normal growth rather than a disorder, so often doesn’t require medical intervention.

People with CDGP may experience slower growth rate during childhood and adolescence, resulting in lower final adult height. They often go through puberty later than others their age but will likely reach full pubertal maturity before the age of 18. Another common feature is delayed bone age, meaning their skeletal maturation is younger than their actual age.

Whilst many children with CDGP go on to achieve normal adult height, they may remain shorter than their predicted adult height, calculated using their parents’ heights.

Hear advice from other parents whose children are also short in stature, compared with others their age. https://morethanheight.com/en/life-with-growth-disorders/advice-for-early-years-parents-of-a-baby-or-toddler-with-a-growth-disorder/

What causes Constitutional Delay of Growth and Puberty?

Constitutional Delay of Growth and Puberty (CDGP) is thought to have a genetic cause, as it often runs in families. For more than 99% of cases the exact genetic cause remains unknown.

What are the symptoms of Constitutional Delay of Growth and Puberty?

The main characteristics of CDGP are:

• Slower growth rate
• Delayed puberty (In males, the absence of testicular enlargement by age 14. In females, the absence of breast development by age 13)
• Delayed skeletal maturation

Growth

The majority of children with Constitutional Delay of Growth and Puberty (CDGP) are identified when they don’t show signs of entering puberty. It can be diagnosed earlier as children with CDGP often follow a characteristic pattern of growth from early infancy.

From 3–6 months old, babies with CDGP may begin to show signs of reduced growth rate.

Growth rate is slowest in the first 2 years of life, so by age 3 children with CDGP are typically below average in height. Reduced growth rate is accompanied by reduced weight gain and delayed bone age, so children with CDGP remain aligned across these developmental markers.

After 3–4 years of age, the growth rate of children with CDGP remains within normal limits, although their height lies below average.

If your child is short in stature, keeping track of their growth can help identify if there is a problem early on. Compare your child’s measurements to the national average to see if they are within a healthy range.

Are there any complications associated with Constitutional Delay of Growth and Puberty?

People who have experienced CDGP are at increased risk of developing certain conditions including:

• Decreased bone mineral density
• Poor self-esteem
• Social withdrawal

How is Constitutional Delay of Growth and Puberty diagnosed?

A doctor will only give a diagnosis of Constitutional Delay of Growth and Puberty (CDGP) after other possible causes of short stature and delayed puberty have been rejected.

To start, a doctor will first confirm a diagnosis of delayed puberty. In males this is the absence of testicular enlargement by the age of 14 and in females, this is the absence of breast development by the age of 13. Your doctor may ask you questions about your family history, as having another family member who has experienced delayed puberty increases the likelihood of your child having CDGP also.

Other assessments that your doctor may carry out include assessing bone age and blood tests to check levels of sex hormones.

It is important you speak to your doctor if you have any concerns about your child’s height. Use this helpful guide on what questions to ask and what to expect from your visit. https://morethanheight.com/en/talk-to-your-doctor/visiting-your-paediatrician/