Each periodic consultation allows us to have a record of the growth and development of our little ones. But between consultation and consultation, the own questions occur, where we compare our children with friends, older brothers or cousins. Perhaps it is when it comes to school performance or if it is about comparing skills. «My son is small for his age«Some parents doubt without saying it aloud. "Will he be of average maturity for his age?" The growth of children is undoubtedly one of the great concerns of parents since a child who responds adequately to the stipulated parameters would speak of a healthy child.
Of course, it is not easy to establish rigid rules, there are children who are small for their age compared to others and are in good health. In other cases, we have little ones that are above the average and even exceed the maximum percentile. That's why nothing better than reviewing the terms we use so as not to panic.
Small children…. and not so much
Is it possible to speak of a toddler for age? What would be the parameter on which we base ourselves when observing our children. Beyond the popular gaze, when talking about a child of short stature, it refers to a little one who is considerably shorter than the average height for his age and sex. However, beyond this factor, pediatricians take into account several factors when determining a child's height and its relationship to growth.
One of the great factors is, for example, genetic inheritance. The height of the parents is a strong indicator when it comes to establishing how tall a child will reach once they are grown. If the parents are below average height, a child is likely too. Another factor to Before determining whether my son is small for his age We must also consider the so-called growth rate, that is, the child's growth rate.
The rhythm of growth of a child, known as the growth rate, is also important. In regular parameters, children grow at a regular rate and although there are stages in which they grow more in height than in weight, the trend is usually even. However, there are cases of children who do not grow at the same rate as their friends because their growth rate is more irregular. This could become a difference in relation to their peers. If there is a big change in the percentile line then it is a red flag as it can speak of a growth problem.
Young children: registration and causes
The growth charts allow you to control the little ones as they measure the growth of a child average of a given age, sex and height. Thus, the line indicates an average of the population of that age that would have a certain height at a certain age. If a child's percentile is less than 3%, they are considered a short child.
There are a few reasons for short stature in children: from short stature in the family (although with a normal growth rate), a general delay in growth and puberty (young children during most of their childhood but who achieve normal height in adulthood), and the so-called idiopathic short stature, that is to say that in this case we are talking about a young son for his age but healthy and without any identifiable cause.
Height and disorders
Although it does not occur in many cases, if there is a son who is small for his age And you have doubts, it is best to consult a doctor because there are cases in which development is associated with certain diseases, such as asthma, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease, anemia, bone disorders and heart disease.
Another condition that causes growth problems in children These are hormonal deficiencies: hypothyroidism, growth hormone deficiency, diabetes, and Cushing's disease (a disorder that causes too much cortisol in the body). Genetic conditions are also associated with short stature (síndrome de Down, Turner syndrome, Russell-Silver syndrome, Noonan syndrome, and rare bone problems such as achondroplasia).
La blow stature in children It can also be due to poor nutrition, medications that are used to treat ADHD or steroids for asthma, or in the cases of babies who have suffered intrauterine growth retardation or are too small for their gestational age during pregnancy.