Analysis of the distribution of adult height standard deviation scores in relation to prepubertal height standard deviation scores using longitudinal growth data: —Investigation of the catch-up rates of children with short stature to attain normal adult height—

Using the longitudinal growth data of 13,809 individuals in the Akita Prefecture, the percentage distributions of their adult height (AH) standard deviation scores (SDS) in relation to their prepubertal height SDS were obtained. The AH SDS increased with negative prepubertal height SDS and decreased with positive prepubertal height SDS, showing that a greater amount of change was associated with a greater interval of the prepubertal height SDS from the mean. The proportions of individuals who achieved normal AH stratified by prepubertal height SDS were as follows: 67.1%, in the group with prepubertal height SDS of –2.5 < to ≤ –2.0 SD, 46.0% in the group with –3.0 < to ≤ –2.5 SD, 75.2% in the group with +2.0 ≤ to < +2.5 SD, and 55.1% in the group with +2.5 ≤ to < +3.0 SD. Of all participants with short stature at prepuberty, 58.4%, 33.8%, 8.3%, and 0% of those with prepubertal height SDS of ≤ –2.0 SD, ≤ –2.5 SD, ≤ –3.0 SD, and ≤ –3.5 SD attained normal AH, respectively. On average, it is difficult for children with prepubertal height SDS of ≤ –2.5 SD to attain normal AH.