Growth With Down Syndrome
Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal abnormality associated with short stature. Recent studies have indicated that infancy and adolescence are the periods where growth is affected most severely. Compared with normal standards for children without Down syndrome, growth rates of children with Down syndrome are reduced by 20% between ages 3 and 36 months, by 5 to 10% in childhood, and by 27% (girls) and 50% (boys) during adolescence. Reduction in lower segment length (pubis to floor) appears to be the major contributor to the decreased growth seen in children with Down syndrome. Average adult heights are 145 cm in women and 152.5 cm in men.
