Height is subject to both genetic and environmental influences and is commonly recognized as a polygenic trait. Previous studies on the influence of parental genetics on stature were based on observations on children born in the 1960s or earlier, and only a few studies have examined final height.

Tanner et al. introduced in 1970 in a large population-based study ( n = 2402) that the genetic potential height, or target height, can be determined by the corrected Midparental Height (MH) method which was a simple linear function.

This method is commonly used to estimate Target Height (TG) in children to evaluate the effectiveness of growth-promoting therapies.

The formula used is:

• Boys: TG =45.99+0.78*MH
• Girls: TG =37.85+0.75*MH
• MH = Midparental Height in cm
• TG = Target Height in cm-with a 95% predicted interval of ±10 cm.

^* Note: It has not yet been resolved if the function for predicting target height should be the same for children with short, normal, or to all parents, nor if the prediction is influenced by the degree of similarity or dissimilarity between the two parents in height.

References:

• Luo ZC, Albertsson-wikland K, Karlberg J. Target height as predicted by parental heights in a population-based study. Pediatr Res. 1998;44(4):563-71.
• Tanner JM, Goldstein H, Whitehouse RH. Standards for children's height at ages 2-9 years allowing for heights of parents. Arch Dis Child. 1970;45(244):755-62.