A height below that which is expected according to age and gender norms. Although there is no universally accepted definition of short stature, many refer to "short stature" as height more than 2 standard deviations below the mean for age and gender (or below the 3rd percentile for age and gender dependent norms). The phenotype is Short stature (HP_0004322). Also known as: Decreased body height, Height less than 3rd percentile, Small stature, Stature below 3rd percentile.