SLOWING SONS GROWTH RATE

[madham]

My son will be 9 in a couple of weeks he is just over 6 stone (slim though) and is 4ft10 already he is wearing size 11/12 clothes to fit his leg length - he has crossed over 3 centiles in 5 years which apparently is not normal!!. His dad is very tall too 6ft3 but the school nurse is concerned about how fast he is growing and is sending him to a paedetrician (spelling) to see if he should take hormones to slow him down, has this happend to anyone else, what do you think about altering the outcome of his height/weight etc??

[Lindy Loo]

I can understand your concerns regarding your sons growth, but as you've said his dad is over 6', I shouldn't think there is anything to worry about.

Were you concerned before the school nurse saw him? It may be that she is being over cautious, and besided the 'centiles' are only a guide the to the 'expected average' if I remember correctly!!

If your son is otherwise fit and healthy, don't worry. In the unlikely event that there is any amiss the paedetrician will advise you on the best course of action at your appointment.

Good luck 

[klinedancer]

my daughter was 5'6" by the time she ws eleven and towered over the rest of her class, but by the time she reached 15 to 16 everyone else caught up with her, Shes now 5'10" and glad that shes tall. Her dad is 6'4". hope this helps

[madham]

I have tried to post an answer so it may come up twice!!! Thank you both for your replies, I take some comfort in what both of you have said and feel a little more relaxed about the situation. I havent really worried about his size, but it is something I'm very aware of in comparison to the rest of his year. I shall just wait and see what the hospital says and take it form there. Also its a about 2 months since he's mentioned growing pains in his legs so maybe he has slowed down for the time being, again thanks

[Dom Tuk]

My son is 9.5 years old and 148 cms. he is also wearing 11-12 years clothes and i was not overtly concerned about it. He is on the 95th percentile already and as we are of Indian descent we are not tall parents. he is the tallest in his class. On the other extreme our other son who is 7 is in the 25th percentile and the shortest in his class. what should i make of this.

[Francis Asis]

I think it's very sad that an over-zealous nurse has you worried about a perfectly normal child who is going to be tall. When he's a teenager and 6'5" and can tuck his girlfriend under his arm he'll be happy. Women love a tall man, they feel protected. The current generation are all taller than I ever imagined was possible. He is not abnormal.

[claireking]

hi

dont worry i am 28 and my friends 10 year old towers me and im 5ft2, they will only grow so big and will stop.........you will notice he will grow quite quickly at this moment in his life and then it will slow down.

hope this helps.xx

[madham]

Thank you for all your suppport, I feel much more relaxed about the whole situation now.