Short, or a late bloomer?
Many teenagers who have fallen behind others simply run on a later clock. How can we tell the difference?
Picture a 13-year-old boy who was only a little shorter than his friends last year, and now the gap has grown. Classmates have shot up and their voices have changed, but he is the same. The family is afraid, and that is understandable.
What is late development?
Some children reach puberty sooner and some later. A late bloomer is healthy and grows at a normal speed, but the growth spurt comes a few years after others of the same age. Until then the child falls behind friends, and later most of the time reaches a height in keeping with the family.
What signs fit?
- A parent, aunt or uncle also matured late
- The child has been a little shorter since the early years, but has kept to their own path
- Bone age is younger than real age
- The child is well, with no illness or other sign
When is late development not enough of an answer?
- Growth has really slowed, not only compared with others who have had their spurt
- No signs of puberty by about 13 in girls and 14 in boys
- Tiredness, tummy pain, diarrhoea, headaches or problems with smell come with it
- The child is very thin or eats poorly
The doctor weighs these with the growth chart, an examination and, if needed, tests and bone age. Conditions such as an underactive thyroid or coeliac disease can show up in the same way.
It is not only about height
A teenager who has fallen behind friends may be teased, avoid sport or think little of themselves. Sometimes this is the most important subject of the visit. Tell your child that this gap is often temporary, and if it is causing real distress, talk to the doctor.