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Pediatric Endocrinology (Expert Forum)
Start of puberty
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.
Start of puberty
by jenxgen, Jun 14, 2008 11:23PM
My son will be sixteen in two months and shows no signs of starting puberty (according to his Ped.) he is 5"5 and is very anxious to know when he will start growing. He is continuing on the growth chart as he has always in the 10% percentile so dr. is not at all concerned. I am 5"8 and Dad is 6"1. Both his father and paternal grandfather went through puberty late and had growth spurt of 5" at age of 18. Am I justified in assuring him that he is following the same pattern as them? My younger son is doing the same thing but our daughter is 9 and is 5"0 and 80 lbs. so I fear she will be taller than her brothers before they start their growing? What do you think?
My four siblings are 5"5-6"4 and my husbands sister is 5"9
jenxgen
My four siblings are 5"5-6"4 and my husbands sister is 5"9
jenxgen
Doctor's Answer
by Deanna L Aftab Guy, MD, Jul 08, 2008 08:42PM
, Jul 08, 2008 08:42PM
To: jenxgen
Even with family history of late bloomers, if he has absolutely no signs of puberty(hair, body odor, testicular enlargement) he needs at least a brief workup by a peds endo or at least by his pediatrician, I would consider a cbc, free T4, TSH, LH, FSH, free and total testosterone, estradiol, 17-OH progesterone and even genetic testing called a karyotype if needed, an xray of his left hand will help as well in someone we are hoping to be a late bloomer.
