Anthropometric and nutritional evaluation of short statured children from low socio-economic class.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the anthropometric parameters of short statured children examined in our outpatient clinic. 367 children were evaluated. Body weight for age, weight for height, height for age and body mass index of subjects were expressed as percent of standards. Wasting and stunting were established according to Waterlow's criteria /4/. Of 367 children, 27.8% were wasted and stunted; 59.1% were stunted; 3.8% had constitutional delay of growth and 9.3% had growth hormone deficiency. Ninety-seven percent of growth hormone deficient children had deficiency in weight as well as height. This study indicates that most short statured children and some growth hormone deficient children present with anthropometric indices of chronic nutritional deficiency in a country where nutritional deprivation is frequent.