Tag: Growth delay

Medically, short stature is often defined as being below the 3rd to 5th percentile for age and sex on a growth chart. Delving into what height is considered too small reveals it is far more complex than a single number, involving genetics, health, and normal variations.

Genetic factors account for approximately 80% of a person's final height, making ancestry a significant determinant. The question, **Why am I so small in size?**, often arises from comparing oneself to peers, but the reasons can be surprisingly varied, ranging from simple genetics to underlying medical conditions.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a boy is typically considered to have short stature if his height is below the 2.3rd percentile for his age. Deciding which height is short for a boy involves more than just a single number and is determined through a consistent evaluation of growth patterns over time.