"Every year during summer and winter vacations, it is the busiest time for pediatric growth and development experts, but after the busy period, there is often an indescribable heartache." Experts explain that many children have abnormal growth and development, but parents do not pay enough attention until they bring their children to the hospital for treatment, often missing the best treatment opportunity. While hospitals can provide treatment and health guidance including insomnia, diet, and exercise, the healthy growth of children ultimately requires the full cooperation of parents.
"Old experience" may not be reliable to avoid falling into the growth trap
"Although a child's height is hereditary, with genetics accounting for 70%, the 30% postnatal environmental factors are more important." Experts say that in outpatient clinics, they often encounter parents who, due to some wrong beliefs, cause their children's growth and development to slow down and regret it for life.
Misconception 1: If parents are tall, the child will definitely be tall
Although height is closely related to genetics, genetics only provide a range of heights with a deviation of 8 centimeters. If a child's height approaches the upper limit of the genetic range, it is more ideal, but if it approaches the lower limit, the child will be short. Surveys have shown that 30% of children in China cannot reach their genetic height.
Misconception 2: If a child is tall now, they will definitely be tall when they grow up
A child's sudden growth spurt before puberty may not necessarily be a good thing; it could be early sexual development, and children who experience early sexual development may not grow tall. Accelerated closure of the bone epiphysis due to early closure of the growth plate by sex hormones can reduce growth space, resulting in shorter stature in adulthood compared to the general population.
Misconception 3: If a child is short now, they will have a late growth spurt
Under the influence of genetic factors, it is possible for a child to have a late growth spurt, and usually, children who have a late growth spurt have a bone age lagging behind that of normal children. However, some children have a delayed bone age due to malnutrition, staying up late, excessive pressure, and lack of exercise, which prevents adequate secretion of growth hormones. If this is the reason, the child may not necessarily grow taller in the future.
Misconception 4: Growth is still possible after puberty
For boys, voice change, and for girls, menstruation is a sign that they have entered the stage of puberty. At this stage, the growth plates of children's bones have almost closed, and height begins to enter the countdown to stop growing, so it is already quite late to take action.
Slow growth should alert parents
How can parents determine if their child is short? "Every parent should learn to observe their child's height growth." Experts say that regular physical examinations can help parents understand the development of their child's height and weight, and timely detect any problems that may arise during their growth process, leading to early detection, early treatment, and early intervention.
According to experts, there are two periods in a person's life when growth and development are the fastest: infancy and puberty. Infancy refers to the period from birth to 1 year old, during which height increases by about 25 centimeters, making it the fastest period of growth in a person's life. During puberty, the average annual increase in height is usually 5-7 centimeters, with individual cases reaching 10-12 centimeters. After puberty, height growth basically stops.
"If a child's growth rate is lower than the following data each year: less than 7 centimeters in height for infants and young children (under 3 years old), less than 4-5 centimeters in height for children (3 years old to puberty), and less than 7-8 centimeters in height for puberty, parents should pay attention and take their child to the hospital for examination. By following the doctor's guidance, cultivating correct dietary, exercise, and sleep habits for the child, and intervening in their growth, the child's height can increase by an average of 5-10 centimeters compared to the natural state." the expert explained.
Treating short stature in children: combining Chinese and Western medicine yields good results
When a child is determined to have short stature through bone age monitoring, targeted treatment should be given based on the cause, such as growth hormone deficiency, Turner syndrome, hypothyroidism, etc. "Regardless of the cause of short stature, treatment mainly aims to increase height through the use of growth hormone, but the complementary effect of Chinese medicine treatment is more significant." The expert emphasized.
According to Chinese medicine, children with short stature often have insufficient food intake due to digestive dysfunction, leading to selective eating and loss of appetite, which fails to meet the needs of growth and development, resulting in delayed growth, short stature, poor physique, and susceptibility to other diseases. Through syndrome differentiation treatment, the best treatment plan can be developed based on different constitutions, ages, genders, and their living environment and dietary habits. Chinese medicine can regulate the functions of the spleen and kidney, invigorate the spleen and stomach, tonify qi, reinforce the exterior, and enhance the child's resistance.
"Golden period" of summer vacation: three aspects to promote height growth
During the three hottest periods of summer, the sun is abundant, and the body's metabolism is most vigorous. At this time, the secretion of growth hormone in the body increases, creating favorable conditions for the absorption and utilization of calcium. In addition, during summer vacation, children's academic pressure is reduced, outdoor activities and sports activities increase, and sleep is sufficient. All of these are beneficial to the child's development, making summer vacation the golden period for growth. Experts suggest that parents promote their child's growth through diet, sleep, and exercise:
Avoid picky eating. Balanced and adequate nutrition is the foundation for promoting the growth and development of children. Every day, parents should ensure that their child eats an egg, 500 milliliters of milk, and 1 ounce of meat. According to the results of diet and bone density, they should supplement calcium and vitamins A and D appropriately and consume sufficient fruits and vegetables and drink plenty of water every day.
Ensure sufficient sleep. Adequate sleep is an important way to promote a child's growth. Children who want to grow taller should go to bed before 10 pm when the secretion of growth hormone peaks. Preschool children should ensure 10 hours of sleep per day, and school-age children should have 8 hours per day.
Engage in physical activity. Choose activities that are beneficial for height growth, such as swimming, dancing, badminton, basketball, table tennis, and pull-ups. Avoid excessive weight-bearing or excessive exercise. Morning exercise is preferable, and each exercise session should last 20-40 minutes.
