Important Tools for Use by Pediatric Endocrinologists in the Assessment of Short Stature

Recent years have witnessed great advancements in assessing and managing children with growth failure. Yet it can be further improved by employing novel digital techniques. 

Thus the third 360° European Meeting on Growth and Endocrine Disorders observed an expert panel discussion on the developments in the digitalization of several important tools used by pediatric endocrinologists. 

• It was documented that the invention of electronic monitoring and new algorithms provides more sensitive referrals for short stature. 
• Additionally, computer programs have facilitated the coding of diagnoses for use by various bodies like healthcare providers and government health systems. 
• The invention of Innovative cranial imaging techniques has increased the safety, sensitivity and accuracy compared to gadolinium contrast agents. 
• Deep-learning neural networks are transforming the methods of evaluating bone age and bone health, which are more objective than standard methodologies. 
• Models for forecasting growth response to growth hormone (GH) treatment are being improved by using novel artificial intelligence methods which specify non-linear and linear factors relating to response, rendering more precise predictions. 
• Finding and interpreting insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels are witnessing standardization and consistency, for assessment across different patient groups, and computer-learning models suggest baseline IGF-1 standard deviation score to be a crucial indicator of GH therapy response. 

Physicians concerned with child growth and treatment of disorders causing growth failure must know about these latest developments, however, treatment decisions and management should still rely on clinical decisions. These newer technologies and advancements must aid in improving clinical decisions, making greater standardization of assessment and facilitating patient-centred approaches.

Labarta JI, Ranke MB, Maghnie M, Martin D, Guazzarotti L, Pfäffle R, Koledova E, Wit JM. Important Tools for Use by Pediatric Endocrinologists in the Assessment of Short Stature. J Clin Res Pediatr Endocrinol. 2021 Jun 2;13(2):124-135. doi: 10.4274/jcrpe.galenos.2020.2020.0206. Epub 2020 Oct 2. PMID: 33006554; PMCID: PMC8186334.