The Boy:Girl Ratio of Children Diagnosed with Growth Hormone Deficiency-Induced Short Stature Is Associated with the Boy:Girl Ratio of Children Visiting Short Stature Clinics

Abstract

The boy:girl ratio of children with short stature (1.58:1) did not differ significantly from that of children diagnosed with GHD (1.59:1). These results indicate that the predominance of boys in GHD does not reflect a real incidence, but rather a selection bias whereby a higher proportion of boys with short stature seek treatment at clinics. This difference arises because parents are more concerned about boys' height, and because boys reach adult height at an older age.