When did your kid with growth delay/late puberty grow?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Time for the weekly “help my son is so short, will he grow taller ” post.

Jeff should make an entire forum dedicated to mom fretting over their son’s height. It would be the busiest forum on the site.

OP isn't asking how to make her son taller- just looking for experiences of when kids with her son's issues started to grow.

I would be surprised too if my 15 year old son showed no signs of puberty and was much shorter than his expected height. Sounds like she's figured out what's going on and he'll probably end up taller than his expected height, but nothing wrong with asking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS was 5 foot flat at 13. Started puberty at 14 (bone scan shoes he was 6-12 months behind). He’s 5’6’’ at 14.5 and hasn’t gotten broad or filled out yet (still 105 lbs). Endocrinologist thinks he will reach 5’10’’ at a minimum. He was just slow and like another pp said, once he started growing, he really took off.

Why was he getting bone scans and seeing an endocrinologist? Is this normal for UMC people whose kids are below 50th percentile?

NP: my own DS was also 5’0” at 13, and we saw an endo at 13.5 (after bringing him in for a mid year height/weight check). In my DS’s case, he barely grew at ALL for over a year- in either height or weight- and was still tanner stage 1 (zero signs of puberty), which drew the concern of our pediatrician, as it can indicate other issues. In my DS’s case, it was simple constitutional delay- and he had an exaggerated period of very slow growth before puberty kicked in. Which apparently can be normal for some kids.

It isn’t always just about height alone. Also time is of the essence IF there is a problem. Many times there turns out to be no problem that requires treatment, which is great. But better safe than sorry. Especially if the pediatrician also has concerns.

My DS eventually started puberty and grew to a normal height without interventions, just later than most peers. But I’m glad we got it checked out.

This is OP. Our pediatrician wasn’t concerned when there were zero signs of puberty at 13. Nor at 14. Why was yours? At 15, he said it was most likely just a delay and ordered the bone scan. Now I’m wondering if we need any other work up beyond the bone scan.

Ours was concerned because of the growth issue outlined above. At his 13yo appt my DS not only had zero signs of puberty, but in the previous 12months had only grown 0.75 inches and gained 4lbs. So it was not just the lack of puberty signs but a general lack of growth entirely (after growing normally previously). Our ped was particularly concerned about things like celiac, growth hormone issues etc- which she would prefer to address sooner rather than later, if present.

My friend’s ped just referred their DS to an endo after no puberty signs at his 14yo appt. I think there is some variation as to when peds will refer out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Time for the weekly “help my son is so short, will he grow taller ” post.

Jeff should make an entire forum dedicated to mom fretting over their son’s height. It would be the busiest forum on the site.

OP isn't asking how to make her son taller- just looking for experiences of when kids with her son's issues started to grow.

I would be surprised too if my 15 year old son showed no signs of puberty and was much shorter than his expected height. Sounds like she's figured out what's going on and he'll probably end up taller than his expected height, but nothing wrong with asking.

+1

[Anonymous]

Op - did your son lose his baby teeth late? What about his feet… have they had their growth spurt? If so, I would think his height growth is coming soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op - did your son lose his baby teeth late? What about his feet… have they had their growth spurt? If so, I would think his height growth is coming soon.

Lost baby teeth very late (nearly 8 for first one, lost last baby molar at 13) and has tiny hands and feet as I think I mentioned. Feet are now maybe size 5, about the size of most 10 year olds, it seems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS was 5 foot flat at 13. Started puberty at 14 (bone scan shoes he was 6-12 months behind). He’s 5’6’’ at 14.5 and hasn’t gotten broad or filled out yet (still 105 lbs). Endocrinologist thinks he will reach 5’10’’ at a minimum. He was just slow and like another pp said, once he started growing, he really took off.

Why was he getting bone scans and seeing an endocrinologist? Is this normal for UMC people whose kids are below 50th percentile?

NP: my own DS was also 5’0” at 13, and we saw an endo at 13.5 (after bringing him in for a mid year height/weight check). In my DS’s case, he barely grew at ALL for over a year- in either height or weight- and was still tanner stage 1 (zero signs of puberty), which drew the concern of our pediatrician, as it can indicate other issues. In my DS’s case, it was simple constitutional delay- and he had an exaggerated period of very slow growth before puberty kicked in. Which apparently can be normal for some kids.

It isn’t always just about height alone. Also time is of the essence IF there is a problem. Many times there turns out to be no problem that requires treatment, which is great. But better safe than sorry. Especially if the pediatrician also has concerns.

My DS eventually started puberty and grew to a normal height without interventions, just later than most peers. But I’m glad we got it checked out.

This was nearly the exact same as our experience.

My DS had started dropping on the growth charts and then didn’t grow at all in a year (Tanner 1 as well). Pediatrician referred us to an endo, to further explore just in case there was something medical going on. And she explained if there was a growth issue, we’d want to consider options sooner rather than later since once growth plates close, options are very limited.

DS ended up just being a late bloomer, he was followed by the endo for about 18 months (going just once every 6 months) until he said no need for more visits. DS eventually ended up much the height the endo predicted. But I’m glad we pursued it as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS was 5 foot flat at 13. Started puberty at 14 (bone scan shoes he was 6-12 months behind). He’s 5’6’’ at 14.5 and hasn’t gotten broad or filled out yet (still 105 lbs). Endocrinologist thinks he will reach 5’10’’ at a minimum. He was just slow and like another pp said, once he started growing, he really took off.

Why was he getting bone scans and seeing an endocrinologist? Is this normal for UMC people whose kids are below 50th percentile?

NP: my own DS was also 5’0” at 13, and we saw an endo at 13.5 (after bringing him in for a mid year height/weight check). In my DS’s case, he barely grew at ALL for over a year- in either height or weight- and was still tanner stage 1 (zero signs of puberty), which drew the concern of our pediatrician, as it can indicate other issues. In my DS’s case, it was simple constitutional delay- and he had an exaggerated period of very slow growth before puberty kicked in. Which apparently can be normal for some kids.

It isn’t always just about height alone. Also time is of the essence IF there is a problem. Many times there turns out to be no problem that requires treatment, which is great. But better safe than sorry. Especially if the pediatrician also has concerns.

My DS eventually started puberty and grew to a normal height without interventions, just later than most peers. But I’m glad we got it checked out.

This is OP. Our pediatrician wasn’t concerned when there were zero signs of puberty at 13. Nor at 14. Why was yours? At 15, he said it was most likely just a delay and ordered the bone scan. Now I’m wondering if we need any other work up beyond the bone scan.

Ours was concerned because of the growth issue outlined above. At his 13yo appt my DS not only had zero signs of puberty, but in the previous 12months had only grown 0.75 inches and gained 4lbs. So it was not just the lack of puberty signs but a general lack of growth entirely (after growing normally previously). Our ped was particularly concerned about things like celiac, growth hormone issues etc- which she would prefer to address sooner rather than later, if present.

My friend’s ped just referred their DS to an endo after no puberty signs at his 14yo appt. I think there is some variation as to when peds will refer out.

How many inches are they supposed to grow in a year? Isn't an inch considered normal range?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS was 5 foot flat at 13. Started puberty at 14 (bone scan shoes he was 6-12 months behind). He’s 5’6’’ at 14.5 and hasn’t gotten broad or filled out yet (still 105 lbs). Endocrinologist thinks he will reach 5’10’’ at a minimum. He was just slow and like another pp said, once he started growing, he really took off.

Why was he getting bone scans and seeing an endocrinologist? Is this normal for UMC people whose kids are below 50th percentile?

NP: my own DS was also 5’0” at 13, and we saw an endo at 13.5 (after bringing him in for a mid year height/weight check). In my DS’s case, he barely grew at ALL for over a year- in either height or weight- and was still tanner stage 1 (zero signs of puberty), which drew the concern of our pediatrician, as it can indicate other issues. In my DS’s case, it was simple constitutional delay- and he had an exaggerated period of very slow growth before puberty kicked in. Which apparently can be normal for some kids.

It isn’t always just about height alone. Also time is of the essence IF there is a problem. Many times there turns out to be no problem that requires treatment, which is great. But better safe than sorry. Especially if the pediatrician also has concerns.

My DS eventually started puberty and grew to a normal height without interventions, just later than most peers. But I’m glad we got it checked out.

This is OP. Our pediatrician wasn’t concerned when there were zero signs of puberty at 13. Nor at 14. Why was yours? At 15, he said it was most likely just a delay and ordered the bone scan. Now I’m wondering if we need any other work up beyond the bone scan.

Ours was concerned because of the growth issue outlined above. At his 13yo appt my DS not only had zero signs of puberty, but in the previous 12months had only grown 0.75 inches and gained 4lbs. So it was not just the lack of puberty signs but a general lack of growth entirely (after growing normally previously). Our ped was particularly concerned about things like celiac, growth hormone issues etc- which she would prefer to address sooner rather than later, if present.

My friend’s ped just referred their DS to an endo after no puberty signs at his 14yo appt. I think there is some variation as to when peds will refer out.

DP here.

My DS was under observation by his ped but not sent to an endo. My DH also was a late bloomer. DS had dropped from the 75 percentile to the 50th percentile in height and added some weight. His ped termed it a pre-puberty stall and wanted to see him every six months. She’s in her late 60s and has seen everything. She predicted he would start his growth between 14 and 15. And, she was right. He’s now 5’8.5” at 15.5 and appears to still be growing. We’ll see.

He also had broken his foot and his ortho said his growth plates were wide open (I asked).

He had no baby teeth until he was over a year old.

It all depends on individual circumstances and your doctor on what approach to take.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My middle school daughter is 5’7” and there are very few boys taller than her. The boys don’t get taller than a lot of the girls until high school.

This! I was an early bloomer and reached my adult height of 5’5” at 12. I vividly remember feeling like a giant in middle school and was definitely taller than nearly all the boys. There were only a couple boys taller than me by the end of 8th.

There's such a huge spread. My MS girl is 4'4" and hasn't started puberty at all. The pediatrician is following her, but hopefully she spurts soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My middle school daughter is 5’7” and there are very few boys taller than her. The boys don’t get taller than a lot of the girls until high school.

This! I was an early bloomer and reached my adult height of 5’5” at 12. I vividly remember feeling like a giant in middle school and was definitely taller than nearly all the boys. There were only a couple boys taller than me by the end of 8th.

There's such a huge spread. My MS girl is 4'4" and hasn't started puberty at all. The pediatrician is following her, but hopefully she spurts soon.

This thread is about a high school boy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS was 5 foot flat at 13. Started puberty at 14 (bone scan shoes he was 6-12 months behind). He’s 5’6’’ at 14.5 and hasn’t gotten broad or filled out yet (still 105 lbs). Endocrinologist thinks he will reach 5’10’’ at a minimum. He was just slow and like another pp said, once he started growing, he really took off.

Why was he getting bone scans and seeing an endocrinologist? Is this normal for UMC people whose kids are below 50th percentile?

NP: my own DS was also 5’0” at 13, and we saw an endo at 13.5 (after bringing him in for a mid year height/weight check). In my DS’s case, he barely grew at ALL for over a year- in either height or weight- and was still tanner stage 1 (zero signs of puberty), which drew the concern of our pediatrician, as it can indicate other issues. In my DS’s case, it was simple constitutional delay- and he had an exaggerated period of very slow growth before puberty kicked in. Which apparently can be normal for some kids.

It isn’t always just about height alone. Also time is of the essence IF there is a problem. Many times there turns out to be no problem that requires treatment, which is great. But better safe than sorry. Especially if the pediatrician also has concerns.

My DS eventually started puberty and grew to a normal height without interventions, just later than most peers. But I’m glad we got it checked out.

This is OP. Our pediatrician wasn’t concerned when there were zero signs of puberty at 13. Nor at 14. Why was yours? At 15, he said it was most likely just a delay and ordered the bone scan. Now I’m wondering if we need any other work up beyond the bone scan.

Ours was concerned because of the growth issue outlined above. At his 13yo appt my DS not only had zero signs of puberty, but in the previous 12months had only grown 0.75 inches and gained 4lbs. So it was not just the lack of puberty signs but a general lack of growth entirely (after growing normally previously). Our ped was particularly concerned about things like celiac, growth hormone issues etc- which she would prefer to address sooner rather than later, if present.

My friend’s ped just referred their DS to an endo after no puberty signs at his 14yo appt. I think there is some variation as to when peds will refer out.

DP here.

My DS was under observation by his ped but not sent to an endo. My DH also was a late bloomer. DS had dropped from the 75 percentile to the 50th percentile in height and added some weight. His ped termed it a pre-puberty stall and wanted to see him every six months. She’s in her late 60s and has seen everything. She predicted he would start his growth between 14 and 15. And, she was right. He’s now 5’8.5” at 15.5 and appears to still be growing. We’ll see.

He also had broken his foot and his ortho said his growth plates were wide open (I asked).

He had no baby teeth until he was over a year old.

It all depends on individual circumstances and your doctor on what approach to take.

Yes that is essentially how it was (eventually) termed for my DS: “pre puberty stall”, more or less. I’m not sure why some peds refer to endo sooner than others. I had never heard of this before (and doesn’t seem to happen to most boys?) but seems like it is not super unusual either. Either way, glad that is all it was (both for my own DS, and yours too)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 15 year old had barely started puberty at his 15 year check up a few months ago. At 14 there has been no sign. At 15 just starting. A bone scan showed his bone age to be an estimated 24 months behind. Diagnosed with constitutional growth delay.

Still very little sign of height growth and he still has a baby face and tiny hands and feet. Both parents are very tall and kid should end up about 6’3” if based on parental height alone. However there is some evidence of late growth in men on the sides of both parents as well as the bone scan evidence.

What was your experience? When did your kid catch up?

Has your son seen an endocrinologist and did that person read the bone scan?

My 15yo sophomore is 36 months delayed in bone growth, just now starting a growth spurt and feet have grown dramatically (almost size 10). Lost his last baby teeth at 14.

We did find that an endo had a different reading of the scan than a radiologist (bigger delay), I would recommend you see an endocrinologist and not just rely on your pediatrician.

We did no interventions but did get a couple bone scans over a couple year period and full blood work. Also focused on getting more calories in him because he was underweight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 15 year old had barely started puberty at his 15 year check up a few months ago. At 14 there has been no sign. At 15 just starting. A bone scan showed his bone age to be an estimated 24 months behind. Diagnosed with constitutional growth delay.

Still very little sign of height growth and he still has a baby face and tiny hands and feet. Both parents are very tall and kid should end up about 6’3” if based on parental height alone. However there is some evidence of late growth in men on the sides of both parents as well as the bone scan evidence.

What was your experience? When did your kid catch up?

Has your son seen an endocrinologist and did that person read the bone scan?

My 15yo sophomore is 36 months delayed in bone growth, just now starting a growth spurt and feet have grown dramatically (almost size 10). Lost his last baby teeth at 14.

We did find that an endo had a different reading of the scan than a radiologist (bigger delay), I would recommend you see an endocrinologist and not just rely on your pediatrician.

We did no interventions but did get a couple bone scans over a couple year period and full blood work. Also focused on getting more calories in him because he was underweight.

At what age did you start seeing an endo? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 15 year old had barely started puberty at his 15 year check up a few months ago. At 14 there has been no sign. At 15 just starting. A bone scan showed his bone age to be an estimated 24 months behind. Diagnosed with constitutional growth delay.

Still very little sign of height growth and he still has a baby face and tiny hands and feet. Both parents are very tall and kid should end up about 6’3” if based on parental height alone. However there is some evidence of late growth in men on the sides of both parents as well as the bone scan evidence.

What was your experience? When did your kid catch up?

Has your son seen an endocrinologist and did that person read the bone scan?

My 15yo sophomore is 36 months delayed in bone growth, just now starting a growth spurt and feet have grown dramatically (almost size 10). Lost his last baby teeth at 14.

We did find that an endo had a different reading of the scan than a radiologist (bigger delay), I would recommend you see an endocrinologist and not just rely on your pediatrician.

We did no interventions but did get a couple bone scans over a couple year period and full blood work. Also focused on getting more calories in him because he was underweight.

At what age did you start seeing an endo? Thanks.

At 12, due to falling off his height and weight curve.

[Anonymous]

DS 14, zero signs of puberty. 5’3 and 100 lbs on a good day with size 10.5 feet. Pediatrician at his most recent annual said “let’s watch it” but given family history of late growth plus no signs of puberty she said she was not concerned. Next annual is in 6 months so planning on pushing for additional testing if we haven’t seen more growth. DDs (older) both followed very typical growth/puberty timelines so this is very stressful—especially since he’s an athlete and now struggling to compete with boys who have already had growth spurts and are well into puberty.