Still no growth spurt at 14?

[Anonymous]

My son will be 14 in a few months and still has not had a growth spurt. He has continued at his normal childhood growth rate of ~2 inches a year, and seems to be in the early stages of puberty (no voice changes etc). Last year at his 13 year old check up, the pediatrician said he was in early puberty but the growth spurt might still take a while to get started. Almost a year later, he is getting anxious for it to get underway, which I understand but have reassured him he is fine and there is nothing anyone can do about timing of puberty. That being said, did any of you have boys who were later to puberty/growth spurt and have any words of advice? How much did they grow after things got moving? My son was pretty tall through childhood, always around 85%, but dropped off once puberty years hit and other boys started having big spurts. Parents and family are above average to tall in height so it is unlikely he will end up especially small, but he is feeling very small and physically immature at the moment, and it sure is difficult in sports.

[Anonymous]

Some never have a spurt but just gradual increase in height. Which is much healthier btw.

A spurt can lead to health problems now, and especially later in life. Growing too much too fast is not good.

[Anonymous]

NOt uncommon at all. My almost 15 year old didn't grow for a year then grew 6" so far this year.

[Anonymous]

My 14 yo weighted 105 and was the shortest of his friends.

He ended up being a 6’1” college athlete.

[Anonymous]

My almost 15 year old JUST started to grow and is averaging an inch a month the past few months!

[Anonymous]

I know nothing about this but knowing healthcare in general id insist on a referral to an endocrinologist and on testing, just to be safe and calm, you know? GL to you and kiddo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know nothing about this but knowing healthcare in general id insist on a referral to an endocrinologist and on testing, just to be safe and calm, you know? GL to you and kiddo.

Testing for what?

[Anonymous]

Constitution growth delay - aka a late bloomer. My ped will refer to an endocrinologist if nothing is happening by 14 and a half. My DS started puberty right at 14 and a half.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some never have a spurt but just gradual increase in height. Which is much healthier btw.

A spurt can lead to health problems now, and especially later in life. Growing too much too fast is not good.

That’s good to know. I never had a growth spurt and neither did one of my kids (girl) We are shorter than the rest of the family, in the 35%tile so no big deal. We are living among giants in our family with a few other exceptions.

[Anonymous]

Mine was always a slow and steady (but tall) guy too and he ended up going through a mini-spurt of sorts shortly after turning 14. He probably grew around 4.5" or so but he's also still tall. He's almost 6'2" at 15- similar percentiles to your son.