Growth is one of the best indicators of a child’s health and nutrition. When a child’s height or weight doesn’t increase as expected for their age, it’s called growth retar-dation or growth failure. This can be worrying for parents – but the good news is, most causes can be identified and treated early.
Common causes of poor growth:
• 👨👩👧 Family (Genetic) Short Stature : If parents are short, the child may grow slowly but remain healthy.
• ⏳ Constitutional Growth Delay : Some children grow later than others. They may be shorter during school years but catch up in height when puberty starts.
• 🤰 Small for Gestational Age (SGA) : Babies born smaller than average may continue to grow slowly after birth.
• 🍽️ Poor Nutrition: Inadequate food intake or conditions affecting digestion (like celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease) can affect growth.
• 🧠 Hormonal or Endocrine Problems : Uncontrolled hypothyroidism, growth hormone deficiency, or syndromes like Turner’s can cause growth failure.
What can parents do?
Tracking your child’s growth regularly—height, weight, and puberty milestones—is important. If your child seems to be growing too slowly, consult an endocrinologist. With early diagnosis and proper care, many children can return to a normal growth pattern.
🌟 Healthy growth means a healthy future!
Dr. Deepa G, MHSc (Diab), Dip (Diab)