DefinitionShort stature refers to any person who is significantly below the average height for a person of the same age and sex.The term often refers to children or adolescents who are significantly below the average height of their peers.Alternative NamesIdiopathic short stature; Non-growth hormone deficient short statureConsiderationsA growth chartis used to compare a child's current height and how fast he or she is growing to other children of the same age and gender (male or female). A measurement called standard deviation (SD) is used. If a child's height is more than 2 SD's below the average height, the child is thought to have short stature.Many parents become worried if their children are shorter than most or all of the children around them. However, short stature is not necessaril