How can you recognize growth problems?
Although most children who are very short or very tall are healthy and normal, some children have diseases or conditions that affect their growth. A child's growth rate is a more important clue to the presence of a growth problem than is his or her size. For this reason, regular, accurate measurements plotted on a pediatric growth chart are very important: A change in the child's growth rate may provide the first hint of an underlying problem. Specifically, a slowing of growth, especially to less than 2 inches (5 cm) per year could be a sign of pediatric growth hormone deficiency or chronic illness.
If you have concerns, discuss them with your child's healthcare provider. Our Doctor Discussion Guide can help. Also, the following questions can serve as guidelines for parents who are worried about their children's growth. While not necessarily indicating a problem, a "Yes" answer to any of these questions* signals a need to discuss the question with your child's healthcare provider.
- Is my child the shortest or tallest in the class?
- Is my child still wearing last year's clothes or outgrowing clothes much faster than usual?
- Is my child unable to keep up with other children of the same age in play?
- Is my child growing less than 2 inches or more than 3 inches a year?
- Is my child complaining about his or her size?
- Is my child showing signs of early sexual development (before age 7 in girls and before age 9 in boys)?
- Has my 13-year-old girl or 15-year-old boy failed to show any signs of sexual development?
*This list is based in part on Human Growth Foundation (HGF) guidelines.
For more information on these guidelines contact:
Human Growth Foundation
997 Glen Cove Avenue
Glen Head, New York 11545
or call toll-free: (800) 451-6434
One of the most important things parents can do to protect a child's health and growth is to have their child examined regularly by a pediatrician or another qualified healthcare provider. The examination should include accurate measurements (without shoes) plotted on a pediatric growth chart.
Researchers have found that girls are less likely than boys to be referred for evaluation of growth problems, perhaps because short stature is less of a social concern for girls. Poor growth can be a symptom of a serious medical condition, so any child whose height is below the 5th percentile line on the pediatric growth chart or who moves away from a previously normal growth curve should be checked by a healthcare provider.
