Are you worried about your child's growth? Let's talk about these growth disorders

As a mother or father, you may have felt this way at times. It's normal to feel that your child is a little short at a family function, or at school, or when they're with other children of the same age. When you think about it, you may feel a little scared, "Is my child growing properly?" But not always a child's short stature is a sign of a serious illness. Sometimes it can also run in the family. But it's very important to be aware of this. So today, let's talk about growth disorders in children.

How does a child normally develop?

There are certain milestones that a child can see to see if they are developing properly. It will be very helpful for you to have a little idea about these.

Let's take a closer look at these growth stages in the table below.

What are the reasons for a child's slow growth?

If a child's growth is slower than normal, there can be a variety of reasons for this. Let's look at a few of them.

Endocrine disease

Simply put, many things in our body, such as growth and function, are controlled by hormones. If there is a problem in the system that produces these hormones (the endocrine system), it directly affects the child's development.

• Thyroid hormone: A hormone essential for a child's growth. A deficiency in this hormone can lead to stunted growth.
• Growth hormone: This hormone is produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. If this hormone is not produced enough, a child's height will be stunted.

Constitutional growth delay

This is not really a disease. These children have a normal growth rate, but they are a little shorter than others their age. This means that their bones mature a little slower. Like "late bloomers". Over time, they reach a normal height.

Intrauterine growth restriction

While in the mother's womb, the fetus may experience growth restriction within the womb due to factors such as lack of nutrition or oxygen. This is also a major reason for the child's growth to slow down.

Genetic disorders

Some genetic conditions can also affect a child's development.

• Turner Syndrome: A condition that only affects girls. They are missing part or all of one of their X chromosomes, causing problems such as developmental delays.
• Down Syndrome: A condition caused by the presence of an extra chromosome number 21. These children also have slower than average growth.
• Achondroplasia: This is a common genetic bone disorder. This condition causes a child's arms and legs to be short in proportion to their body, and their head may be larger than normal.

Precocious puberty

In this condition, a child reaches puberty much earlier than expected. At first, their growth spurts and they seem to be taller than other children, but their growth stops very quickly. Eventually, they may be shorter than the average adult height.

Other influencing factors

In addition to this, several other factors can affect a child's development.

• Severe mental stress
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Chronic kidney, heart, or lung diseases
• Long-term use of certain medications

Sometimes there are cases where no specific cause can be found for growth problems. In medicine, we call this `idiopathic`.

How do you know if you have a growth problem? What are the symptoms?

Some symptoms are visible at birth, while others appear as the child gets older. These symptoms usually become more apparent after the age of 5.

Symptoms such as these may be seen with growth problems:

• Delayed development of physical skills: Sitting, standing, and walking are slower than children of the same age.
• Delayed development of social and emotional skills: Delay in interacting with others and communicating.
• Digestive system problems: If growth is stunted due to improper absorption of food into the body, symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, and nausea may occur.

What are the treatments for this and why do I need to see a doctor?

If you have any concerns about your child's growth, the best thing to do is to talk to your doctor about it . Every time you take your child to the clinic, the doctor will measure their height and weight and mark them on a growth chart. This will give you a good idea of ​​your child's growth pattern.

If a problem is suspected, the doctor may order tests such as these to find the cause:

• Blood tests: Check hormone levels, nutritional status, and other medical conditions.
• X-rays: An X-ray of the hand or wrist can be taken to check the bone age and get an idea of ​​the child's growth potential.
• Other tests: If necessary, you may be referred for specialized tests, such as testing the pituitary gland.

Here are some treatment options that your doctor may recommend:

• Growth hormone injections: This treatment is very helpful for children with conditions such as growth hormone deficiency or Turner syndrome. Although this is a safe and effective treatment, it can be a bit expensive.
• Thyroid hormone treatment: If a child has a thyroid hormone deficiency (`Hypothyroidism`), giving that hormone in pill form can restore growth.