ORIGINAL ARTICLES

The approach to children with ISS has been to accelerate growth and im-prove the final height through growth hormone (GH) treatment. However, the mean final height increase appears mod-est (between 3-9 cm),3,9,10 most studies had methodologic flaws (inadequate or absent control groups and the use of mixed diagnostic groups), and thus far, there are no accurate predictors of the growth response.9 Furthermore, most studies have concentrated on the isolat-ed physical, psychologic, or social con-sequences of being short. Such studies focus only on specific aspects of well-being. The concept of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) combines physical, psychologic, and social well-being in one outcome measure. HRQOL is defined by the person’s per-ception of problems in health status combined with the affective responses to such problems.11 Another relevant outcome measure is self-esteem.1,6,7,12-14 It is widely assumed that idiopathic short stature (ISS) can result in psychologic, social, and physical prob-lems.1 Children with short stature ap-pear younger than they are and are often treated as such by adults and peers.2,3 The physical limits they meet in sports and play with peers could Quality of life and self-esteem in children treated for idiopathic short statur