Being tall can be considered one of an individual's advantages, and many parents will ask their children to exercise more during their developmental period and supplement their diet with nutrition, in order to make their children "grow tall quickly" and become "winners in life." However, some cases, no matter how hard they try, cannot achieve their wishes. This may be due to missing the golden period when a child's growth plates are active.
What is a growth plate?
The joint ends of the humerus, radius, ulna, tibia, fibula, and femur are all covered with growth plates (also known as epiphyseal plates), which are thin layers of transparent cartilage. When growth plates are stimulated by hormones such as growth hormone, thyroid hormone, and sex hormones, they continuously produce new cartilage. The newly formed cartilage calcifies to form bone, which then lengthens and thickens, causing children to grow taller.
Boys grow fastest between the ages of 10 and 15, while girls grow fastest between 8 and 13. Regardless of gender, growth plates naturally close and stop dividing at the end of puberty (around 16 to 18 years of age), after which growth ceases and medication or supplements will no longer help.
Healthy habits help increase height
Experts point out that 80% of height is determined by genetics, with the remaining 20% depending on postnatal diet and nutrition. Healthy individuals who absorb sufficient protein, vitamins A and D, calcium, and phosphorus during their development can help bone growth. In addition, excessive sugar intake can inhibit growth hormone, and children in their developmental stage should avoid it as much as possible. In terms of lifestyle, growth hormone is secreted once every 60 minutes during deep sleep, so adequate sleep is essential.
Generally, pre-pubertal children aged 4 to 10 years will grow 4 to 6cm per year. Some parents assume their children will naturally grow taller during puberty, overlooking the fact that they have been growing shorter; coupled with the current impact of the pandemic delaying medical attention, they may miss the best treatment window (treatment before puberty is more ideal). If parents notice their children are shorter than their peers or growing more slowly, it is recommended to seek an examination from a paediatrician as soon as possible.
Paediatric Endocrinology and Growth Assessment
The scope of treatment services for paediatric endocrinology at Hui'er Paediatric Medical Centre includes:Childhood dwarfismand growth hormone therapy (known colloquially as "heightening injections").Precocious pubertyor delayed puberty, male breast enlargement, thyroid dysfunction, etc.
Doctors assess growth and development levels, speed, and the relationships between various indicators for babies of different age groups using professional methods, to understand their growth and development status and trends. This is used for the diagnosis of childhood growth and development disorders, nutritional status assessment, and to provide advisory recommendations.
Evaluation process
The doctor will first understand the child's family history and the developmental status of the fetus before and after birth.
2. Measuring children's height, weight, head circumference, and limb proportions helps doctors assess the cause.
3. If there are any doubts, further examinations will be arranged, for example:
- Blood test
- Genetic testing
- Growth hormone stimulation test
- Brain scan
4. Before using medication, the doctor will conduct a thorough assessment of the child to determine if medication is appropriate (e.g.Growth hormone therapy)
