However, some fail to to catch up in this way. They remain short and lacking in subcutaneous fat and have a characteristic facial appearance. The bridge of the nose is usually depressed and the mouth turned down at the corners. A proportion of these children have marked asymmetry of the limbs or body, one arm or leg being longer than the other, or one side of the face or chest more developed. The condition constitutes a specific syndrome, known by the name of Silver-Russell after two paediatricians who independently described it in the 1950's.
Mental development is usually normal.
At present there is no effective treatment for these children who grow up normally in every way except for size. Studies of the possible benefit of growth hormone treatment are underway and it is possible that this may become a relevant form of therapy in years to come. These children are healthy and active and should not be regarded as delicate. In middle childhood they put on some subcutaneous fat and their puberty occurs at a slightly earlier time but in the normal sequence. The syndrome hardly ever occurs twice in the same family, so the mother of such a child can be reassuredabout subsequent pregnancies.