Dr Arpan Bhattacharyya

This portal is about diabetes, thyroid, Steroid and other common clinical problems in relation to the field of Diabetes and Endocrinology.

  • Home
  • About Sushruta
  • Dr Arpan
  • Dr Shaila
  • Contributors
  • Publications
  • Contact Us
  • Covid19, Diabetes & Endocrinology
  • Diabetes
  • Endocrine & Metabolism
  • FAQ
  • Pediatric Endocrine
  • Pituitary
  • Thyroid
Home » Pediatric Endocrine » Is my child growing alright?

Is my child growing alright?

May 6, 2020 by Dr. Shaila Shamanur Bhattacharyya

What is normal growth?

At birth, a child is around 50 cm. Growth is maximum in the first year of life, about 25 cm per year. It gradually declines from birth to about 4 years.

During the second year height gain is half of first year, around 12.5 cm and 6-7cm per year in third and fourth year of life.

From the fifth year till the onset of puberty it is about 5 cm per year. During puberty, girls gain 6-8 cm of height and boys grow about 7-10 cm.

baby crawl walk

How do I know if my child is growing okay?

Few clues for this are –

  • If your child is not outgrowing his /her clothes and / or shoes
  • If your child is among short ten children
  • If your child looks younger than his classmates
  • If your child has developed a complex about height

What is a growth chart?

The best way of confirming normal/abnormal growth is by regular growth monitoring. This can be done by simple height measurement at regular interval of 3 months and plotting them on growth charts. The Indian Academy of Paediatrics has devised growth charts for all age groups which are freely available online.

Growth in boys upto 18 years
Growth in boys upto 18 years
Growth in girls upto 18 years
Growth in girls upto 18 years

What are causes for short stature?

  • Common cause is nutritional deficiency.
  • Genetic or familial short stature
  • Constitutional short stature or late bloomer
  • Chronic diseases
  • Hormonal deficiency
    • Thyroid deficiency
    • Growth hormone (GH) deficiency.
  • Rare causes are Turner syndrome, Intrauterine growth retardation and emotional deprivation.

What are the signs of GH deficiency?

Children with GH deficiency are short with normal body proportions and intelligence. Bone development may be delayed causing child to look younger than his actual age. There may be under development of mid facial structure and frontal bossing of the skull. They are often obese/overweight as GH controls fat deposition.

How do you diagnose Growth hormone deficiency?

After all other possibilities of short stature have been ruled out, tests are done for growth hormone deficiency. First analyze growth rate in the growth chart, second, thorough physical examination, X-ray of hand and wrist to see bone development and compare it with height and chronological age.

Confirmation is by giving the child a substance that releases growth hormone burst in normal children. If the release is sub optimal it confirms growth hormone deficiency.

Are there any side effects with the treatment?

Largely this treatment is safe and very effective. It is an expensive medicine. It is given till normal height or maximum height is reached, that is when bones have been fused, thus the child has attained maximum height.

Why an adult cannot grow taller?

Adults cannot grow as their bones are fused. Once puberty is reached the sex hormones, oestrogens in girls and testosterone in boys cause fusion of bones. Once bones are fused we cannot grow any more.

Related

Filed Under: Pediatric Endocrine Tagged With: Child, Growth, Growth Hormone, Hypothyroid, Nutrition

Follow Me

  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Recent Posts

  • Planning to travel during a pandemic?
  • Why should I bother about Trans Fat?
  • What to do if tested positive for Covid?
  • How to Boost Immunity after COVID 19?
  • Top 10 FAQs on Sex Hormones
  • Top 10 FAQs on Obesity
  • Top 10 FAQs on Steroids
  • Top 10 FAQs on Diabetic Diet
  • Top 10 FAQ on Cholesterol
  • Top TEN frequently asked questions in Diabetes

Top Posts

  • Why should I bother about Trans Fat?
  • Do I have Polycystic Ovaries?
  • Hyperthyroidism in Children and Adolescent
  • How do I control my Uric Acid level?
  • Why my blood Calcium has gone high?
  • Can Thyroid create problem in my Pregnancy?
  • My child entered puberty early, what do I do?
  • Hypothyroidism in Children and Adolescents
  • Problems in adolescence and how to handle them
  • Delayed Puberty in Boys

Copyright © 2025 - Sushruta

 

Loading Comments...