Delay in Growth in Adolescents: Clinical Validation of a Proposed Nursing Diagnosis.

Purpose: This study aims to analyse the accuracy of clinical indicators of the proposed diagnosis of delayed growth in school-aged adolescents.

Design And Methods: This is a diagnostic accuracy study of 385 adolescents in public schools from July to September 2017 that aimed to assess the accuracy of clinical indicators of the proposed nursing diagnosis of delayed growth; the sensitivity and specificity values were calculated using latent class analysis.

Results: Growth velocity less than expected was associated with sensitivity and specificity. The clinical indicator short stature for age and sex showed sensitivity. Low weight for age and sex, stature below genetic target and delayed sexual maturation were specific indicators.

Conclusion: In a sample of adolescents in public schools in northeastern Brazil, a set of five clinical indicators best indicated delayed growth in adolescents. Two clinical indicators showed sensitivity, and four clinical indicators showed specificity.

Practice Implications: This study contributes to refining the diagnostic proposition of delayed growth in adolescents. Accurate measures for nursing diagnoses can help paediatric nurse practitioners confirm or exclude this diagnosis in adolescents with a similar profile.