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Cerebral Palsy pp 1–19Cite as

Short Stature in Children with Cerebral Palsy

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Abstract

Growth in children is complex. Externally, growth is determined by changes in height, in weight, and in features of physical maturation such as body shape, body composition, and secondary sexual characteristics. Internally, growth is a churning interplay of many biochemical and physiological systems. Nutrition, metabolism, and hormones integrate with neuronal pathways and physiology in the developing brain, allowing adaptation to the environment and future reproductive capacity.

In children with cerebral palsy, assessment of growth has several challenges. Anthropometric measurements, for example, are difficult to obtain because of contractures and other bodily deformities. There are also limitations in our understanding of how maturational descriptors of growth such as bone age, bone mineral density, and body composition are applied to growing children with cerebral palsy compared to their healthier peers.

It is necessary for appropriate management of children with cerebral palsy to be aware of the subtleties in the use of modified measures of growth, in the selection of appropriate growth charts, and in the correct treatment intervention. A clearer understanding of the true health challenges the child with cerebral palsy faces leads to better risk assessments for surgical readiness and long-term health needs. The overarching goal is an improvement in the quality of life for these children as they grow into adulthood.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gillette Children’s Specialty Hospital, Saint Paul, MN, USA

    Kevin J. Sheridan

Authors
  1. Kevin J. Sheridan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kevin J. Sheridan .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Alfred I. duPont Institute, Wilmington, DE, USA

    Freeman Miller

  2. Cerebral Palsy Program, AI DuPont Hospital for Children , Wilmington, DE, USA

    Steven Bachrach

  3. AI DuPont Hospital for Children , Wilmington, DE, USA

    Nancy Lennon

  4. Drexel University, PHILADELPHIA, PA, USA

    Margaret O'Neil

Section Editor information

  1. Department of Pediatrics (Emeritus), Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE, USA

    Steven J. Bachrach

  2. Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Steven J. Bachrach

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Sheridan, K.J. (2019). Short Stature in Children with Cerebral Palsy. In: Miller, F., Bachrach, S., Lennon, N., O'Neil, M. (eds) Cerebral Palsy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-50592-3_73-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-50592-3_73-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-50592-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-50592-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference MedicineReference Module Medicine

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