Copious information about the efficacy of growth promoting treatment for short stature of varying aetiology has been accumulating in recent years. Substantial insights are also developing into whether being taller (if achievable) is necessarily desirable or beneficial.

In the context of paediatric practice, children are commonly referred for short stature or pubertal delay and often demonstrate (apparently) short stature related psychosocial stress and distress. Is short stature psychologically stressful in itself? …