G573(P) The evaluation of gender bias in growth referrals for short stature

Aims To compare gender differences between an available sample of boys and girls who were referred for evaluation of short stature and determine if a significant bias exists within these patients. Methods Retrospective study design. Patient encounters involving the referral of short stature during the period 2009–2015 to Paediatric Endocrine Clinic, EWMSC. Outcome measures were sex, patient growth characteristics, age at presentation, source of referrals and Growth Hormone treatment. STATA and SPSS Version 24 used for statistical analysis. Results 18 boys and 12 girls were referred (p 0.2727). There was a bimodal pattern for the age distribution at presentation (>3–6 years;>12 years), however no statistical difference in mean age of referring males (7.791 years) versus females (7.096 years). There was a significant gender difference in the mean height deficit at 5.52%, while the height z-score and the target parental height z-score were insignificant. The mean height deficit for males was lower at −0.15 SD, while the figure for females was 0.36. Of the 24 patients who met the criteria for short stature, similar results were noted with regards to mean age of presentation for males, pattern of age of distribution and height deficit significance. Data differed slightly in the mean age of presentation for females which was higher in this subgroup, although comparative analyses were insignificant. Hospital clinics were the main source of referrals followed by private doctors. Analysis of patients treated with Growth Hormone revealed a statistically significant association in treating males versus females with an odds ratio of 4.7. Of the patients treated with GH, 4 did not meet the criteria for short stature, 3 of whom were males. Conclusion This study proves that a gender bias exists in the referral patterns of patients referred for short stature, with a higher frequency of boys referred, a statistically significant difference in height deficit with boys being overzealously referred compared to girls despite meeting their height potential and a statistically significant association towards treating males versus females with Growth Hormone.