Short stature in children with respiratory allergy.

We evaluated the prevalence of short stature (SS) among children with respiratory allergic disease followed up in a specialised centre. These patients (N = 617; 8 months to 16 years) with respiratory allergy (asthma and/or rhinitis) were evaluated for SS (stature shorter than the 3rd percentile, NCHS pattern). The possible links between SS and gender; current age; type, severity, and duration of the allergic disease, treatment with corticosteroid and birth weight were also studied. To assess the influence of the socioeconomic level on SS frequency among atopics, 120 of these patients were compared to their non-atopics siblings. The overall prevalence of SS was 7.9%. Relationship between SS and gender type and severity of the allergic disease and treatment with corticosteroids were not observed. A significant higher frequency of SS occurred among patients with longer period of disease and birth weight less than 2,500 gr. Analysis of the pairs of brothers showed significant higher frequency of SS between allergics (12.5% x 4.2%) showing influence of allergic disease per se. Longitudinal studies for long periods of time are required to properly establish the relation between atopic disease and SS.