[Survey of growth retardation in children].

Following investigation of 172 children submitted for retarded growth, 34 children obtained a specific diagnosis. 11 of these children had growth hormone deficiency and five had coeliac disease. The remaining 138 children either had genetically determined short stature or their growth and adolescence was constitutionally delayed. 27 prepubertal children received treatment with anabolic steroids, and 17 children were treated with growth hormone. We present a practical approach for the investigation of retarded growth.