In recent years, more and more parents have become concerned about their children's height. Medically, a child's height is usually assessed for abnormalities using a growth chart. A diagnosis of "short stature" is only made if a child's height falls below the 3rd percentile for their age and sex. If a child's height is only slightly below average, and their annual growth rate is normal, it is generally not considered abnormal.
However, if parents notice that their child's growth rate has significantly slowed down (for example, only growing 2 to 3 cm per year), or if the growth curve drops from the 25th percentile to the 10th or even 3rd percentile, they should seek medical attention for their child as early as possible for further evaluation.
General methods for checking height abnormalities include:To understand the medical history:Understand family height, medical history of inherited diseases, and other related background information.Two, bone age X-ray examination:To assess whether skeletal development is appropriate for age.Blood testsHormone levels, thyroid function, etc. will be tested. If necessary, genetic testing or brain scans may be performed to rule out dwarfism caused by rare diseases.
If a child is diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency, doctors may recommend that parents use growth hormone injections. These injections are administered subcutaneously every day before sleep. Typically, they can help a child grow 7 to 10cm in the first year. If the short stature is due to constitutional or genetic factors, after 3 to 6 years of treatment, there is still a chance of growing 3 to 8cm taller, with the results varying among individuals. It is recommended that growth hormone therapy be maintained for at least one year to determine the effectiveness of the medication.
Growth hormone has been in use for over 30 years, with a generally high safety profile. Common side effects include headaches, oedema and joint pain, which are usually temporary and resolve on their own. In rare cases, issues such as hyperglycaemia and increased intracranial pressure may occur, but these symptoms typically disappear after discontinuing the medication. Regarding public concerns that growth hormone may cause cancer, there is currently no sufficient scientific evidence to prove a direct link with cancer, and parents can rest assured.
If children undergo growth hormone treatment, remember to maintain good lifestyle habits simultaneously to achieve the maximum effect. (Online image)
The most important point: treatment must be started early. If delayed until late adolescence, after the growth plates have closed, even growth hormone will be difficult to achieve ideal results; furthermore, treatment requires the continuous cooperation of parents and children, including daily injections, regular follow-ups, and maintaining good lifestyle habits such as a balanced diet, sufficient sleep, and exercise, in order to achieve maximum effect.
Source: Bao Xin [Xin Health] (12 September 2025)
https://health.hkej.com/health/article/4194176/%E5%AD%A9%E5%AD%90%E4%B8%8D%E9%95%B7%E9%AB%98-%E8%A6%81%E6%89%93%E6%BF%80%E7%B4%A0%E9%87%9D
