What is short stature?
Short stature refers to a condition where an individual's height is significantly below the average for their age and gender.
How do I know if my child is shorter than normal?
Height measurements are taken at each visit to monitor your child's growth progress over time. Typically, children experience rapid growth in the first two years of life, followed by a slower growth rate until puberty. Puberty, which encompasses the physical changes during preteen and teen years, often involves a significant growth spurt.
To determine if your child is shorter than usual, their doctor will measure their height and compare it to other children of the same age and gender. If your child's height falls significantly below the average, it's termed "short stature.
If my child is short, does it mean they have a medical problem?
It's common for many short children to be perfectly healthy without any underlying medical issues. Here are some reasons why a child may be short
Short Parents
If one or both parents are short, it's likely their child will also be short.
Growth Delay
Some children grow at a slower pace than others, experiencing their growth spurt later than usual. While they may be shorter during childhood, they typically reach a normal height as adults.
Idiopathic Short Stature
Some children are short without any specific reason, known as idiopathic short stature. Despite being healthy, they grow at a slower rate and remain short as adults. However, being short typically doesn't cause them significant social or emotional difficulties.
Some children who are short do have a medical problem. Different problems and conditions can cause children to be shorter than normal. Some of these include
- Being very thin
- Long-term medical conditions that affect the digestive system, heart, lungs, kidneys, or blood
- A condition called "growth hormone deficiency" – People with this condition have too little growth hormone in their body. Growth hormone is a substance made by a gland located at the base of the brain. This gland is called the pituitary gland.
- Children need growth hormones to grow normally.
- Problems that babies can be born with, caused by abnormal genes/abnormal bones.
Will my child need tests?
Possibly. Your child's doctor will seek to understand the reason behind their shorter stature. They'll discuss your family's growth history, conduct a physical examination, and may also perform:
Blood tests
These can help identify various conditions, including growth hormone deficiency.
X-rays of your child's hand and wrist
These X-rays are used to estimate your child's eventual height.
Will my child need treatment?
The course of treatment depends on the underlying cause of your child's short stature. If it's due to a medical issue, their doctor may offer treatment options.
For children with growth hormone deficiency or those not growing adequately due to certain chronic conditions, doctors typically administer growth hormone therapy. This involves daily hormone injections over several years. Parents are usually trained by healthcare professionals to administer these shots. Children undergoing growth hormone treatment typically require regular follow-up blood tests.
Is there anything I can do on my own to help my child?
Yes. You can
- Make sure your child gets enough food and eats a healthy diet. If you need help changing your child's diet, ask the doctor for a protein and calcium rich diet.
- Help your child feel good about themselves. Try to point out your child's strengths and not focus too much on their height.