Diagnostic approach and therapy of overgrowth and tall stature in childhood

Although referral for evaluation of tall stature is much less common than for short stature, early diagnosis in the paediatric age of clinical pictures leading to tall stature is crucial, both in order to detect conditions which can be properly treated and in order to limit excessive final heights; nowadays tall stature may be cause of psychosocial problems. This paper reviews different items related to tall stature in childhood. First of all, our review focuses on the definition of tall stature and the classification of the main clinical conditions associated with either tallness or excessive growth is discussed. Secondly, the clinical picture and the most recent breakthroughs of each of these conditions are reviewed. A diagnostic flow-chart meant to approach a patient presenting with tall stature is designed according to a few simple parameters such as chronological age, height age, bone age and growth velocity. The novel advances in the understanding of constitutional and secondary tall stature are presented and discussed, together with the hormonal treatment of constitutional tall stature and other related outstanding questions.