AIBU to be really worried my son will be a tiny man!?

[icedgem85]

My son has fallen more than 5 centiles and is way off the bottom of the chart at 8.5kg and 75cm tall. He's nearly 2. He's still in size 3-6 trousers, size 3 nappies and 6-9 in tops. He's on track to be about 150cm tall as an adult. He has multiple severe allergies and is undergoing testing for other conditions at the moment. I'm so worried about him! Part of me feels silly because he is a happy, bright, chatty, active little boy who exceeds all developmental milestones except growth. Anyone had a baby who just grew later on!? Or any ideas what could be causing it? Or just slap me for complaining because I know it could be a lot worse!

You need to discuss this with your health visitor or GP. There are many reasons for short stature and failure to thrive. Dropping 5 centiles should be reason enough for further investigations and management.

Dropping 5 centiles needs to be investigated regardless.

Growth wise every child grows at a different rate-my husband is 6’2’’ but was one of the shortest in his class until a late growth spurt age 16/17. Our son is currently 25th centile but has been since birth. What’s most important is that they track their own growth curve, especially early on.

hugs
All I can say is that DS1 was 6lb 4oz at birth. At 12 months I was in tears at the GP because even 0-3months swimming costume was too big and we were booked into swimming classes. Cue 12 months of regular weighing and measuring and at 2 we were told he would be about 150-155 cm as an adult. There was a brief discussion about referral to a growth clinic, which I declined. Now 25, he is just under 6' ( 180cm) although slim- 36" slim fit suits. He was always on the small side until he was 14-15. ( Now his brother.......3 years younger and I just transfered his brother's clothes drectly to his wardrobe!)
Don't worry too much but see what the tests show up!

If a child drops 2 percentiles it's a cause for concern. Your child has dropped 5. That means a visit to the GP is essential.

One thing to consider - is he getting enough iron? Iron deficiency in children manifests as short stature. Your GP will be able to do a blood test and determine if his iron levels are low. DON'T start iron supplements on your own because too much iron is toxic.

Sorry , I interpreted the OP as meaning he was already being investigated , if his slow down in growth isn't being looked at, you should speak to the HV or GP. DS1 always bumped along the low centiles ( can never remember whether its 3rd or 97th!)

It should be investigated but when you say 5 centiles, what’s he gone from and to? My ds bumbled along on the 2nd centile for most of his first ten years but has shot up between ages 12-14 and is now on track to reach more than 6’.

Checking sounds like a good idea; a young relative of mine seemed to be growing rather slowly and often "under the weather" - tests revealed that she had developed a mild lactose intolerance which meant she wasn't getting all the goodness from her food. A few simple dietary adjustments sorted her out, and although she's still petite, well within normal range. Apparently, Caucasians are unusual in remaining lactose tolerant into adulthood - who knew?

I've got 6 children and really need to ask...What's a centile?

Get him checked, that is a huge drop!
Saying that, my DB was always tiny, 5”4 when he left school, 6”4 now....

sugar percentage points on the growth charts. (Back of the red books)

has he had a bone scan to check bone age? we were told after the result she would take longer to reach her full height & would probably enter puberty a little later - they were right-

My now 17 year old ds was between the 91 and 98th centile for length at birth, by 14 months he was below the second centile so easily dropped more than 5.
Fortunately the HV sensibly had him just on monthly review, he was otherwise healthy, and he started picking up again by 18 months. He is now again between the 91 and 98th centile.
No idea what caused the massive drop.

Hm my son has fallen down the percentiles too over the years. No HV seemed concerned after 6 months really (until 6 months he was steady, at the appointments afterwards they seemed much, much less concerned about weight). 2 percentiles is supposed to cause concern but over what time frame? I get that going from 50th to 9th in a few weeks would be alarming, but what would be the concern over a year?
Why are you supposed to maintain the percentile you were born on? - surely that is more a function of gestation, e.g. someone born at 42 weeks might be much bigger than average but might be meant to be a small person so will gradually fall percentiles over a year or two, no?

My son was a very average size at birth but by the age of 5 was below the bottom 15% for height and weight. He was investigated by the paediatrician and nothing was found to be wrong, except for a possible genetic problem (I, my mother and my cousin were all very small until the age of around 16). At age 5 his bone scan showed the bones of a 2 year old.

My son is now in his 30s and is 5'11" tall. He just carried on growing for longer.

How much is he eating OP? Sounds like they need to do further tests including genetic.

You mentioned multiple allergies and this stands out to me.

My DS has CMPA and dropped from the 75th to the 2nd centile quickly after birth. Speak to GPs, Paeds, Nutritionists etc as they should be able to help you with a food plan to help bulk him up.

Once we were on the right track DS Weight has climbed again and he is now tracking 25th centile on weight but is still the shortest on height of his friends.

Two of mine (one girl, one boy) were that small, but they always were. No dropping of centiles involved. In fact my ds2 has his own centile, perfectly in line with the others, just below them. Dropping 5 centiles does sound a lot. What was his length and weight at birth? And how tall are you and his father? Dh and I are small and our dcs were never going to be giants. I think, with the greatest of respect, worrying about having a 'tiny man' is the least of your problems. (Dh is 160cm and he has a shedload of qualifications, a successful career and a fabulous wife . It's really no catastrophe).

Thanks for all your replies. Don't worry, we're always in hospital. I did say he's undergoing testing. He's under a consultant, we see paeds regularly and he has an allergist, dietician, dermatologist but nothing has really given an answer for his poor growth yet so I'm just clutching at straws here. He has allergy action plans, epipens, medicine, eczema creams and supplements, he eats well and still breastfeeds (I also stay free from his allergens for him).

Aw thanks Daisy May, that's reassuring! He isn't caucasian so his allergies aren't that unusual but his littleness is. We're not giants though! Bone scan is an interesting one, will ask consultant about that. His bones aren't strong - he fell and broke his collarbone, he wasn't even upset about it and it hasn't healed well yet. Very strange. I'm hoping his blood tests next week will reveal some easy to fix deficiency!! Yes it's true being tiny on its own isn't a problem. He was born on 70th or something and isn't even on the chart any more, he keeps falling further off the bottom and I can't think what else I can do to help him. Sleeps like a newborn too.

Human growth hormone? Expensive so don't let them put you off ... good luck!

If you know your football, you might be reassured that at age 16, Steven Gerrard was smaller than Michael Owen

I have a friend around that height. He’s a great guy but struggles to get dates and it gets him down. I’d go to the Dr and make sure nothings underlying.

Sorry just read your updated comments facepalm

Ds and dd were both born on 75th centile for height and weight

Gradually they dropped to 3rd for weight and 25 for height but no one took much notice

When they were 9 and 8 I was found to be coeliac and subsequently so were they

They both then on a gf diet put on extra height regaining most of their lost growth

Dd is 15 now and 5’5” slender size 6
Ds 14 is on track to reach 6’+ like his dad

Research has shown that if certain conditions are found before 10 children can regain missed growth and reach close to their original projected height

Hope this gives you some reassurance