Concerned about your child’s growth? Here’s what you need to know

Children experience rapid growth, especially during infancy and adolescence. While it’s natural to expect your child to grow steadily as long as they are eating well, many parents worry about their child's growth, as various factors can impact it. In this article, Dr Misa Noda, Paediatrician at HMI Medical Centre will share what constitutes normal growth and how to ensure your child is growing healthily.

A child’s growth is typically measured in terms of height and weight. Adequate weight gain is essential for normal height development; insufficient weight gain can impede height growth. In the early years of childhood, children can grow at a particularly fast rate, both in terms of weight and height. Here’s an overview of the key milestones:

Weight:

• By 4 months of age, your child’s weight should be approximately double their birth weight.
• By 12 months, your child’s weight should be about triple their birth weight.

Height:

• At birth, the average baby is around 50 cm long.
• In the first year, babies generally grow about 25 cm.
• In the second year, children usually grow about 12.5 cm.

Growth charts in your child’s health booklet also provide a visual representation of growth patterns. These charts feature various lines representing the range of normal growth. If your child’s growth follows a consistent line and does not dramatically shift from one percentile to another (e.g. dropping from the 75th to the 10th percentile), it is usually a sign of healthy growth. However, consistently being below the 3rd percentile, might warrant further investigation.

Poor weight gain is most often due to insufficient nutrition. If you notice that your child is not gaining weight as expected, assess their eating habits compared to other children of the same age. Consult a nutritionist if needed to optimise their nutritional intake.

If a child struggles to gain weight despite improved nutrition, it may indicate an underlying medical condition that is causing excessive energy expenditure. In such cases, seek evaluation from a paediatrician for further assessment and diagnosis.

Any noticeable weight loss or lack of weight gain in a child is abnormal and should prompt a visit to the doctor. Early intervention can help to address potential issues effectively.

Short stature in children can result from several factors, including familial short stature, poor weight gain, and constitutional growth delay (commonly known as being a ‘late bloomer’). If your child’s height falls below the 3rd percentile or if they show significant percentile drops, consult a paediatrician for further assessment.

If you suspect familial short stature, your paediatrician can help determine if your child’s growth aligns with their genetic potential. Occasionally, a child with height well below the 3rd percentile might have a genetic condition or growth hormone deficiency that requires treatment. They may also have nutritional deficiency and benefit from improved nutrition to maximise growth.

If you think your child might be a late bloomer, a bone age X-ray can help determine if their bone age is younger than their chronological age. This evaluation can indicate whether your child might experience a growth spurt later during puberty.

Always consult a paediatrician if you have concerns about your child's growth. Early and appropriate care ensures your child receives the support they need for healthy development.