Objectives To investigate the level of self-concept in short stature children and compare with normal children,to explore the relationship between parental rearing patterns and children's self-concept. Methods Piers-Harris Children's Self-concept Scale (PHCSS) and Egna Minnen Bamdoms Uppfostran(EMBU)scale were used in 107 short stature children in Changsha.PHCSS was used in 107 normal children. Results Short stature children scored significantly lower on the total scores of self-concept,especially on sub-scales of behavior,somatic and appearance,well-being and satisfaction than normal children.Correlation analysis indicated that parental warmth positively correlated to all children's self-concept level,father's punishment was negatively correlated to behavior (r=-0.512),physical appearance(r=-0.178) and gregarious(r=-0.321);father's partialism was negatively correlated to gregarious(r=-0.212)but positively correlated to happiness(r=0.226);father's rejection was negatively correlated to behavior(r=0.226) and intellect status(r=-0.196);father's overprotection was positively correlated to appearance (r=0.263)and happiness(r=0.196).Mother's intrusiveness and over protection were positively correlated to physical appearance(r=0.179)and happiness(r=0.234); mother's rejection was negatively correlated to behavior(r=-0.369),physical appearance (r=-0.206)and anxiety(r=-0.239);mother's punishment was negatively correlated to behavior(r=-0.412),physical appearance (r=-0.261)and happiness(r=-0.253);mother's partialism was positively correlated to intellect status(r=0.224)but negatively correlated to anxiety(r=-0.236). Conclusions The levels of self concept of children with short stature are significantly lower than normal children,and related to parental rearing patterns.