Height variation in adults largely because of inherited genetic factors: Study

However, the study says those who are short often have mutations in a single gene, resulting in a large effect on their height

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It is often said that people inherit their height from their parents. A new study has found that the normal variation in adult height is largely due to the same reason but at the same time, it states that those who are short often have mutations in single gene, resulting in a large effect on their height. 

The study, conducted by Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, was carried out on 455 patients with short stature, and of them, 226 patients required detailed phenotyping and genetic testing for confirmation of etiology while 229 were identified on preliminary history/examination and investigations.

The study of 455 individuals, 10 months to 16 years of age, has been published in ‘Indian Pediatrics’. All these individuals had height less than 3rd centile (only less than 3 out of 100 are shorter than this child). 

As per the study, 63 per cent (142) had proportionate short stature (upper and lower part are equally short abnormally). Of these, 93 (65 per cent) had recognisable genetic syndromes such as Turner Syndrome, William Syndrome, RASopathies, etc.

“Genetics plays an important part in determining an individual’s height. Although, there are many monogenic disorders, inherited disease controlled by fault in single gene, that lead to perturbations in growth and result in short stature, this study asserts the importance of good clinical examination to enable correct diagnosis,” said Dr Ratna Dua Puri, chairperson of the Institute of Medical Genetics and Genomics at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

Dr Puri added that they wanted to reiterate that amongst the armamentarium of genetic tests available, a clinical profile assessment enables a diagnosis in 65 per cent patients with proportionate short stature. Additionally, the tests to be offered would depend on the clinical profile. In clinically undefined syndromes, out of 226,39 (27 per cent), a diagnosis could be made by Karotype, Chromosomal Microarray, and Exome Sequencing.

Balance of 84 children (37 per cent) had disproportionate short stature, either upper or lower part of the body is short, 38 (45 per cent) children had Lysosomal Storage Disorder which were identified by Enzyme Analysis among 86.8 per cent individuals. Skeletal Dysplasias, found in 37 (44 per cent) individuals, were identified by Skeletal Survey among 89 per cent cases and unclassified were 9 (8 per cent).

“Through this study, we have attempted to represent the genetic spectrum of disorders in children with short stature and the appropriate testing indications. This becomes more relevant with the increasing ability of the tests and decreasing costs,”Dr Puri said.

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