Final answer:
Constitutional growth delay involves children growing at a slower rate than their peers, with heights two standard deviations below the median for their age, yet following normal growth patterns with eventual catch-up.
Step-by-step explanation:
Constitutional growth delay characterizes children who experience a slower growth pattern compared to their peers but eventually catch up in height. Typically, these children are diagnosed when their height is at least two standard deviations below the median height for their age group in a reference population. Despite the initial stunting growth deficit, these children follow a normal growth pattern, although at a delayed rate.
Moreover, the diagnosis may involve looking into developmental milestones and other health indicators. Unlike certain specific growth disorders such as Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), which involves genetic factors and shows early signs like lack of muscle tone and poor sucking behavior, constitutional growth delay is not associated with any genetic abnormality or distinct phenotypic effects such as a distinctive facial appearance or developmental delays.