Dr. Su Yating reminded that if the child's height is below the 3rd percentile, it is necessary to track the height, weight and head circumference for a long time.

(Photo by reporter Chen Jianzhi)

[Reporter Chen Jianzhi/Taichung Report] Messi, who led the Argentine football team to win the World Cup last year, was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency at the age of 11. Messi’s family could not afford the medical expenses at that time. Later, he signed a contract with the Barcelona club. He received 6 years of treatment before the growth plate closed, which made his height grow from 128 to 169 cm.

Doctors remind children with growth hormone deficiency that although it is not common, if the child grows less than 4 cm in one year, or the height is below the 3rd percentile of the growth curve, he should be taken to the Pediatric Endocrinology Clinic for further examination, otherwise When the growth plates are completely closed, the height is fixed.

Su Yating, a pediatric endocrinologist at Dali Ren'ai Hospital, said that there are several key factors for evaluating children's growth, including growth rate (or growth curve), genetic height of parents, current puberty status, and bone age (degree of growth plate adhesion).

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Su Yating pointed out that parents are concerned about their children's height. It is recommended to use the same measuring tool every 3 months to measure the height with the heels together, the back of the head, the upper back, and the buttocks against the wall.

The growth rate of infants and young children is fast and then slow, and slows down before puberty, usually 4 to 6 cm per year. Once puberty begins, the rising sex hormones in the body will stimulate the growth plate, resulting in a growth rate of 6 to 12 cm per year.

Su Yating said that the height of a child will be affected by the genetics of the parents. For boys, the genetic height is the average height of the parents plus 6.5 cm, while for girls it is the average height of the parents minus 6.5 cm, but the range of plus or minus 8.5 cm for the genetic height is also Both are normal, because the gap is not small, showing that acquired efforts play an important role.

Su Yating said that puberty is the final sprint stage of growing taller, so whether to start growing is very important.

The degree of development of sexual characteristics is divided into 5 stages, the second stage is the beginning of puberty (girls have breast tissue, boys have testicles larger than 4 ml), and the fifth stage is the adult state.

The period in between is the golden period for growing taller. For children who are being followed up in outpatient clinics, doctors will use secondary sexual characteristics to check whether the growth rate is reasonable.

Su Yating pointed out that puberty sex hormones will stimulate the growth plate to pump up and make it close together. Once puberty is over, the growth plate will be completely closed, and the height will be fixed.

Occasionally, teenagers with a bone age of 18 years old will come to see a doctor during the consultation period. At this time, there is basically no meaning of treatment.

Su Yating emphasized that growth curve, genetic height, puberty stage, and bone age are important tools for assessing growth. Parents are reminded that doctors often need to palpate secondary sexual characteristics in the clinic. In order to respect children's thoughts and bodies, they must communicate patiently before seeing a doctor. , Explain possible inspections and reasons.

Parents who have doubts about children's growth should prepare past height records, and go to the Pediatric Endocrinology Clinic as soon as possible to discuss with the doctor whether to use bone age for further evaluation.

Taiwan male growth curve chart.

(Provided by the Taiwan Pediatric Association)

Growth chart of Taiwanese girls.

(Provided by the Taiwan Pediatric Association)

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keywords

• puberty

• bone age

• growth plate

• Growth curve

• birth hormone deficiency

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