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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.

How does someone look when they appear to be still growing? I thought most kids fluctuated over the years between percentiles, especially 50th percentile and 75th percentile. I know my son did and he ended up 6’ tall. I don’t know what percentile that is but it’s in that range he was always in. We never discussed it because there were no issues.

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.

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.

Anonymous wrote: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.