<prompt> The most common etiology of short stature isThyroxine deficiencyGrowth hormone deficiencyConstitutional growth delaySystemic diseases  <response>: Short StatureDefined as height below the third centile or more than 2 standard deviations below the median height for age and gender according to the population standard. Children whose statures more than 3 SD below the population mean for age and gender are more likely to be suffering from pathological short stature as compared to those with stature between -2 and -3SD, who are more likely to be affected by familial or constitutional short stature.CAUSES:-The most common cause is constitutional.FamilialPathological causes include:UndernutritionChronic systemic illnessCerebral palsyCongenital heart diseaseCystic fibrosis, asthmaMalabsorptionAcquired immunodeficiency syndromeEndocrine causes include: Psychosocial dwarfism.Children born small for gestational age.Skeletal dysplasia; achondroplasia, rickets.Genetic syndrome; Turner, Down syndrome. 