Perthes' disease: growth and aetiology.

During the last decade it has become evident that Perthes' disease can no longer be considered as a local ischaemic disorder in an otherwise normal child.1-3 The affected child's growth and develop- ment are unusual in several respects, namely (figure): * Bone aFe3-5 * Stature 8 and growth velocity9 * Disproportionate skeletal growth6 7 * Hormonesl'-2 * Congenital anomalies and defects13 14 * The unaffected hip3 13 15 16