Disproportionate growth of the lower extremities. A major determinant of short stature in Turner's syndrome.

The relationships between the height (H), sitting height (SH), and the lower segment (H-SH) were studied in a group of 21 patients with Turner's syndrome. The SH/H ratio was markedly abnormal (0.55), equivalent to that of 6-year-old normal girls. The abnormality in ratio was a result of markedly shortened lower extremities. Further, there was a significant inverse correlation between SH/H-SH ratio and height such that patients with the most shortening of their legs were the shortest. The degree of abnormality in lower segment, therefore, is a major determinant of stature in Turner's syndrome.