Every child grows at their rate. However, you might notice that your child fails to meet realistic growth prospects, and you should consult your pediatric doctor. The Newport Beach pediatric growth disease specialists advise parents on identifying growth conditions to seek medical help accordingly. Generally, your child can have a growth problem if they fall below or above the expected range of children’s growth on factors, age, sex, racial background, or family history. Let us dig deeper into the growing problems in children.
Reasons for Growth Problems
Many growths affect children and are caused by a variety of factors. It could be due to short familial stature where your child’s height is part of your family’s short height pattern or familial disorder if your family has a tall height pattern. Your child could also experience a constitutional delay of growth and pubertal development or endure a health condition that affects the entire body. Conditions that affect your child’s hormones can alter growth. They can cause fast growth, impair height, or cause weight gain. Genetic disorders like Down syndrome, achondroplasia, and turner syndrome can result in growth disorders.
Risk Factors
Any child can be affected by growth disorders. However, some children are at a higher risk of developing complications than others, depending on several factors. Your family history is critical in determining growth problems and risks for your child. Also, a child with systemic disease or genetic disorders is at a higher risk of developing growth disorders. Therefore, take your child to regular pediatric visits and consult your doctor.
How to Identify Growth Problems
Some parents realize their children have growth disorders when they notice slow growth or their children become smaller than their age mates. A common way to detect a delay in development is to estimate their growth rate a year after their third birthday. If they grow less than 3.5 cm, your baby might be abnormally small. Also, understand that growth complications could result from other medical conditions and be caught during a medical diagnosis.
Diagnosis of Growth Disorders
It is possible to diagnose some growth issues when the baby is born abnormally small. Also, your doctor can detect growth disorders during regular exams, and that is why it is crucial never to skip your appointments. Ensure you maintain your child’s healthcare provider for a comprehensive medical history. Also, give accurate information about your family history to help your child’s doctor understand how exposed your child is to growth issues. Blood tests and x-rays can further investigate any chances of growth problems.
Growth Disorder Treatment
If your child has a growth disorder, there is a high chance of being corrected or managed through medical treatments. However, the treatment depends on several factors like the underlying reasons for the problem, how severe the condition is, your child’s medical history and current health status, and your take on the treatment. Understand that growth complications can take a toll on your child’s self-esteem and cause depression, and it is crucial to wish for treatment as a parent.
If you are concerned about your child’s growth and development, it is crucial to discuss it with your child’s doctor. Reach out to Dr. Sean P. Nikravan, MD, FACE, for help and guidance today. Ensure you book a consultation appointment that you can book online to speak to the pediatric growth disease specialist.
