Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41519847›Full record

ReviewItalian journal of pediatrics2026

Towards a shared diagnostic approach for pediatric short stature: a Delphi consensus of the Italian Society of Pediatrics and the Italian Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology.

Chiara Mameli, Stefano Cianfarani, Luisa De Sanctis, Mohamad Maghnie, Malgorzata Wasniewska, Francesco Chiarelli, Maria Felicia Faienza, Maria Elisabeth Street, Giampaolo De Luca, Cinzia Sacchetti and 6 more

Abstract readConsensus StatementReview
In one paragraph

Review in Italian journal of pediatrics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

16 authors.

Chiara MameliDepartment of Pediatrics, Vittore Buzzi Children's Hospital, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy. chiara.mameli@unimi.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6768-3411
Stefano CianfaraniDepartment of Systems Medicine, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy.
Luisa De SanctisDepartment of Public Health and Pediatric Sciences, Regina Margherita Childrens' Hospital, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
Mohamad MaghnieDepartment of Pediatrics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy.
Malgorzata WasniewskaDepartment of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Francesco ChiarelliDepartment of Pediatrics, University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy.
Maria Felicia FaienzaPediatric Unit, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.
Maria Elisabeth StreetDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
Giampaolo De LucaAzienda Sanitaria Provinciale (ASP) Cosenza, Cosenza, Italy.
Cinzia SacchettiA.Fa.D.O.C. APS, Vicenza, Italy.
Massimiliano OrsoC.R.E.A. Sanità (Centre for Applied Economic Research in Healthcare), Rome, Italy.
Barbara PolistenaC.R.E.A. Sanità (Centre for Applied Economic Research in Healthcare), Rome, Italy.
Rino AgostinianiDepartment of Pediatrics, San Jacopo Hospital, Pistoia, Italy.
Valentino CherubiniDepartment of Women's and Children's Health, G. Salesi Hospital, Ancona, Italy.
Annamaria StaianoPediatric Section- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Mariacarolina SalernoPediatric Section- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University Federico II, Naples, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundShort stature is a common reason for referral in pediatric practice, but significant variability exists in diagnostic approaches and referral criteria. Therefore, the aim of this consensus was to improve the management of children with short stature through the knowledge and expertise of various Italian centers through a Delphi-consensus process.

methodsA multidisciplinary scientific board of 11 experts and 1 patient advocate were involved in a consensus process and used the Delphi method. The scientific board identified 4 key domains regarding short stature: clinical evaluation, biochemical assessment, imaging and genetic investigation. Two literature searches were conducted. The first search aimed to identify international guidelines and consensus on the diagnosis of short stature in children. The second search sought to retrieve clinical studies focusing on the four domains. The results of the literature searches were evaluated by the scientific board and a total of 14 statements were drafted and submitted to a panel of 39 pediatricians and pediatric endocrinologists using a two-round Delphi method conducted between February and March 2025. Consensus was defined as ≥ 80% agreement or disagreement (scores 7–9 or scores 1–3 on a 9-point Likert scale).

resultsIn the first Delphi round, 34 out of 39 experts responded (response rate 87%), and consensus was reached on 11 out of 14 statements. The remaining 3 statements were revised by the scientific board and re-submitted. In the second round, 34 of 34 eligible experts responded (100%), and consensus was achieved for one additional statement. Overall, a strong agreement was reached for 12 out of 14 statements.

conclusionThis consensus provides valuable insights and recommendations to guide pediatricians in approaching a child with short stature. By addressing clinical, biochemical, imaging and genetic domains this consensus provides a model of growth monitoring that may result in early detection and appropriate management of children with short stature.

Indexed as

Growth DisordersBody HeightChildDelphi TechniqueEndocrinologyFemaleHumansItalyMalePediatricsSocieties, MedicalChildrenConsensusGrowthShort stature

Identifiers

PMID41519847
PMCPMC12882444

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.