OBJECTIVETo study the differences in quality of life and psychosocial function between children with short stature and children with normal stature.

METHODSThe Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) was used to survey 53 children aged 5-18 years who were diagnosed with short stature between June 2011 and June 2012, and their parents or guardians. Seventy-nine healthy children aged 4-17 years were selected as the control group.

RESULTSFor PedsQL Child-Self Report, the children with short stature had a significantly higher total score than the control children (25.3±11.2 vs 21.1±10.3; P<0.05), and the former had significantly higher scores than the latter on the following items: It is hard for me to walk more than one block; It is hard for me to lift something heavy; I hurt or ache; I worry about what will happen to me; I cannot do things that other kids of my age can do; It is hard to keep up when I play with other kids; It is hard to pay attention in class; I forget things; I have trouble keeping up with my schoolwork (P<0.05). For PedsQL Parent-Proxy Report, the children with short stature had significantly higher scores than the control children on the following items: troubled sleeping; paying attention in class; keeping up with schoolwork; forgetting things (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in total score, however, between the two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSChildren with short stature have poorer development of psychosocial function than children with normal stature.