Delay of growth and development in children with bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis

The elevated incidence of short stature (body height < x¯ - 2s), skeletal retardation and delayed puberty in children with bronchial asthma or atopic dermatitis is generally attributed to the severity of the disorder. However, a series of findings indicate a causal influence of the atopy and the existence of atopic skeletal retardation per se.