No growth spurt in 14-year-old: should we worry?
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Anonymous
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DS is healthy and active, and while he's broadened out a bit in the past couple of years he hasn't really grown. He's 5'3", has put on about an inch a year for the past two years, and is constantly worried about being short, and he has been picked on at school for being smaller.
Neither me (mom) nor his dad had a late puberty. We keep reassuring him that he'll grow taller (we're both taller than average) but I'm honestly not sure that he'll even clear 5'6" at this rate, if most boys stop growing around 16 as I've read. Would you mention it to the pediatrician or just wait and chill out? TIA. |
Anonymous
| Where the hell did you read that? Boys grow beyond 16. Its girls who stop growing at 16. |
Anonymous
| My brother grew another 2 inches or so in college. My DS is 16 and probably won't grow much more. He's about 5'5" or maybe 5'6" but has short parents. He also lost of bit of height to scoliosis but he wasn't going to be tall. He's always been short but was only teased a few times in ES by new students. Talk to the pediatrician if you are concerned. |
Anonymous
2nd. My brother was short in middle school then grew to 6'4 in high school and college. |
Anonymous
OP here; that's reassuring to hear, and thank you. |
Anonymous
Same. My brother was always on the small side and skinny through high school and ended up at 6’3. |
Anonymous
| My cousin kept saying he'd never grown when he was 5'4'' freshman year. Given how tall my uncle is, I knew he'd grow eventually. By Sophomore year he was psuhing 6'. |
Anonymous
| 14 is on the early side for boys. |
Anonymous
Most girls stop growing before 16. Boys can grow after 16 and can even have significant growth, but if Mom and Dad are both taller than average, yet 14 yo son is 5’3”, it’s worth discussing with pediatrician. |
Anonymous
Same. My brother was 5'2 when he was 15. He grew to 6'2 by 20. |
Anonymous
| Yikes. No most boys don’t stop growing at 16. Talk to your pediatrician. |
Anonymous
| My oldest started high school at 5'4" and 80lbs. He is now 6'4" as a college freshman. According to his Christmas presents he grew between going to school and winter break. |
Anonymous
Many hits hit a growth spurt bat age 18 or 19. There is time. But also try to de-couple height and self-image. |
Anonymous
| Is he also demonstrating signs of puberty? Look at the Tanner scale. My son in the last year has shot up over a foot (he’s coming on six feet now) and he’s still not fully through puberty - some hair growth in the expected places, skin still very clear, has some wispy facial hair but no beard, no chest hair, etc. I wouldn’t worry too much, but of course bring it up at his next physical. |
Anonymous
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At 14, my DS was 5'1 1/4")
At 16.5, he is about 5'7.5". He did have delayed puberty. He is now just showing a bit of hair on his upper lip, and his shoulders have broadened, voice deepened -- all within the past six to eight months. He is still growing, I'm pretty sure. Years ago, he had a foot xray, and the orthopedist stated that his bone growth was about a year or two behind. His father also grew a few inches while in college -- till he was about 20. He won't be tall because I'm very short, but he will probably reach 5'9/10". If you are really worried, you could get an xray and have the plates checked. |