» Growth Treatment Protocol

Individuals with CdLS have proportionate small stature. Specific growth charts are available for height, weight and head circumference parameters of boys or girls with CdLS at different ages. Using these, the practitioner can follow growth as compared to other affected individuals rather than the unaffected population. If an individual deviates from the CdLS curve, then specific investigation for occult pathology may be warranted. The term ìfailure to thriveî is not appropriate, and may generate the use of unnecessary calorie supplementation, which results in no increased rate of growth and considerable parental anxiety. Pubertal growth spurts occur at comparable ages to unaffected individuals. Some individuals with CdLS have been found to have growth hormone deficiency, requiring exogenous growth hormone administration, however, without a documented deficiency, the use of growth hormone most likely does not increase final adult height.