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Pediatric Endocrinology (Expert Forum)
Is my sons growth normal?
Answered by
Deanna L Aftab Guy, MD - Short Stature, thyroid, Pituitary abnormalit, Puberty concerns, Rapid Growth, Adrenal problems, Parathyroid abnormal, Rickets and bone dis
Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital
Nashville - TN
Questions in the Pediatric Endocrinology forum are answered by Dr. Deanna L Aftab Guy, affiliated with Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. Topics covered include adrenal problems, diabetes insipidus, menstrual irregularities, obesity, parathyroid abnormalities, pituitary abnormalities, puberty concerns, rapid growth, rickets and bone disease, short stature, and thyroid.
Is my sons growth normal?
by ErinM246, Mar 31, 2008 01:00PM
My 11 1/2 year old son has consistently grown (height and weight) along the 5th percentile (although his length when born was at the 99th percentile). He has always been an extremely picky eater, and eats no meat and very little protein. His pediatrician says his growth is not a concern, and he is probably just destined to be small. However his sister (who eats very well) is in the 50th percentile. I am 5' 7" and my husband is 5' 9.5". Should we be concerned about this, or follow our pediatricians opinion that he is normal, just tiny?
Doctor's Answer
by Deanna L Aftab Guy, MD, Apr 12, 2008 05:21PM
, Apr 12, 2008 05:21PM
To: ErinM246
Thanks for your patience! At age 11 1/2 I would be more aggressive, if puberty starts we will run out of time to treat if that is indeed needed, following the same curve is encouraging, however we need some more information. Bloodwork and bone age are important, either by your pediatrician or a pediatric endocrinologist, your target height in your family is much higher than 5th percentile, so he is not really following genetic potential but rather that of someone with constitutional delay, starting referral now will allow the specialist to monitor him in order to determine if indeed it is const. delay and then you will feel better over time.
