What are growth disorders?
Growth faltering is an irregularity in a child’s growth and development. It means that a child may grow at a slower or faster rate than other children of the same age. The two clearly visible characteristics are weight and height.
When these two factors deviate from the average population, we speak of a growth disorder, the concept of normal growth is established by the average of statistical data collected on a certain number of subjects. Therefore, children should be screened regularly for obvious deviations in their growth. The time at which a child begins to grow and have a growth rate may also depend on hereditary factors.
Prognosis of growth disorders
A child experiencing an altered growth rate may also have problems related to mental development or verbal skills. These are factors that can pose social and emotional obstacles.
Growth faltering can have consequences for a child’s academic performance.
Symptoms of growth disorders
The most characteristic symptoms of growth disorders include:
- Growth discrepancy with age (weight and height equal to those of younger children).
- Poor appetite
- Crying
- Pallor
- Frequent vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Sleep-related disorders
- Apathy
- Weight loss
Diagnosis of growth disorders
To diagnose growth disorders, the child should undergo medical check-ups. Normally the diagnosis is based on the values of the growth curves associated with the child, the doctor will be able to evaluate, through the measurement of weight and height, the child’s measurements by comparing them with those of the parents.
It will also be possible to check the level of bone development by means of an X-ray, thus determining if there is a bone age later or earlier than the child’s age. If the pediatrician determines that the child should undergo additional controls, the treatment will be carried out with the participation of other specialists.
Causes of growth disorders
The causes of altered growth rate in a child can be traced back to genetic, psychological, hormonal, nutritional and environmental factors:
- Deficiency of growth hormone, essential in the development process.
- Metabolism-related growth-disrupting diseases that impede the absorption of nutrients from food (e.g. celiac disease)
- Congenital organ malformations
- Malnutrition (poor and inadequate nutrition)
- Hereditary factors
- Psychological reasons
- Thyroid malfunction
- Urinary tract infections
Treatments for growth disorders
Treatments for growth disorders always depend on the causes, as different treatments may be used depending on the nature of the condition.
Which specialist to contact?
The pediatrician is the first doctor to consult in case of suspected growth disorders. If the physician determines that the child should undergo further monitoring, the child will be referred to the following specialists for advice based on the child’s initial diagnosis, pathology and needs: physical therapist, nutritionist, feeding specialist, social worker, psychologist and radiologist.