[Psychosocial dwarfism]

Abstract

A 4 year old girl with psychosocial dwarfism showed hepatomegaly, abdominal distension and behavioral disturbances. Laboratory tests revealed a reversible elevation of serum liver enzymes and a reversible partial growth hormone deficiency. The child's family was characterised by severe social problems and all signs of a depriving and child abusing environment. All pathologic findings were reversed by removing the child from her depriving family background. This case demonstrates that psychosocial dwarfism represents an aspect of child abuse (battered child syndrome).