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My child is 5'4.2" and he's 14, what can I do?
I have a big question for my child, he's a male and he's almost 16 (15 and 9 months). We have problems with his height, as he's only 5'4.2", which is short for his age. We have looked at his health history book, and last year the same period he was 5'2.8", where he probably hit height growth at around mid-12. We're very concerned as he wasn't listening to us to eat more height promoting food during the ages 14-late 14, which he realized himself the past 3 months. So he put himself on a kinda strict schedule, drinking 1 cup of milk, then yogurt, and also food containing any milk. However, we measured him we were disappointed. He gained only 0.7 inches. I am personally his mother at 5'3" and his father is 5'6" while his father's brother (simply his uncle) is 5'10". So I come to the conclusion as we're worried: Can a stricter food schedule be put and get him to at least 5'7" or if it's not possible (knowing primary growth ends at 16), can he take specific medication or even further, surgery for that?
3 Answers
Long list of possibilities from family growth patterns of short stature, delayed puberty to growth hormone and other hormone deficiencies like underactive thyroid and a long list of genetic conditions like Noonans Syndrome, Celiac Disease and other inflammatory conditions. Key is looking at his eight and height, plot them on the standard charts and see if there is some clue by the pattern. Then get a hand xray called a bone age and compare this to height and weight ages. Physical exam would also be done and likely consultation with a pediatric endocrinologist experienced with growth and short stature conditions with likely screening blood tests such as IGF1, T4, TSH, chemistry profile, celiac testing and whatever else is suggested by detailed systems review, history and physical. If none of this provides a specific diagnosis, more detailed genetic testing and xrays as well as closer followup and plotting the height on the growth charts would then be done as part of the endocrine evaluation.
He needs to see a pediatric endocrinologist as soon as possible.
Dear patient,
I believe nutrition affects height in childhood as protein intake is most important. At this age, if there are no other medical or endocrine factors, he may be a candidate for Human Growth Hormone treatment. Please discuss with your physician.
Respectfully,
Marvin A. Leder, MD FACP FACE