Growth failure is
a term used to describe a growth rate that is below the appropriate growth velocity (speed) for age.
The term growth delay may refer to a
situation in which a child is short but appears to be able to grow longer than
children usually do, and thus, may not end up short as an adult.
Short stature may be a normal expression of a person’s genetic potential and, therefore, the growth rate is normal.
Short stature may also be a result of a condition that causes growth failure and a growth rate that is slower than normal.