Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

Original poster

Is this worth a gp visit? 4 year old not grown in a year

24 replies

Sidhdbej · 09/01/2022 16:22

My 4 year old (5 in february) hasn't put on any weight at all in 12 months and has only grown about 1 cm. She eats loads and is always asking for food today for example she has had
2 crumpets for breakfast
A pear for a snack
A dairylea sandwich a salad tomato and 1/4 cucumber for lunch
3 custard creams
A tangerine
We haven't had tea yet but we are having stew and I know she will eat a portion almost as big as mine and then have pudding as well
I've been telling myself for 6 months "she will have a growth spurt soon" but it just hasn't happened, she hasn't gone up a shoe size either.

BUT she is still well within normal limits, she has always been tall around the 90th centile for height and 75th for weight now she is around the 50th for both.

Is it worth taking her the gp? Or is it just wasting time and she is well within normal limits still?

YABU= Dont take her the GP
YANBU = Take her the GP

OP posts:

Luredbyapomegranate · 09/01/2022 16:30

It goes in spurts doesn’t it? I’d ring the GP and arrange a nurse appointment to put your mind at rest.

MizzFizz · 09/01/2022 16:31

Never hurts to ring the GP if you have a concern.

puffyisgood · 09/01/2022 16:32

I think yeah, I don't expect this will prove to be an issue, but it passes the test of something that it's reasonable to speak to a GP about. an initial phone appointment might work just as well as face to face.

HumunaHey · 09/01/2022 16:33

How has she grown previously? Steadily or in spurts?

Youbelongherenow · 09/01/2022 16:34

I think it’s better to check it out.

AnnaSW1 · 09/01/2022 16:34

My 4 yr old haven't gained weight in the past year but have grown 8cm. The lack of weight gain wouldn't concern me but I think I'd be surprised if they hadn't got taller

TreeLawney · 09/01/2022 16:35

My ds didn’t grow for absolutely ages - from 2-3.5. He just didn’t grow at all! I started to get quite worried he would be 95cm for the rest of his life when suddenly he started to shoot up. He’s 8 now & tall for his age. Just took a long time to get growing.

rrhuth · 09/01/2022 16:35

I would request a chat with the GP, yes.

If it is nothing, you will be reassured. If it is something, always better to know sooner.

They definitely grow in spurts, but I personally would check just in case.

RagzReturnedUnwrapped · 09/01/2022 16:40

@Luredbyapomegranate

It goes in spurts doesn’t it? I’d ring the GP and arrange a nurse appointment to put your mind at rest.

School nurse would be helpful, but GP nurse won't be. We aren't trained in child development, I do weigh the occasional baby and document it in their book, but can't advise on anything to do with what would be normal or not, I refer them back to GP or health visitor for any concerns.

We're all Adult nurse trained and it isn't something we cover. School nurses and health visitors are either child nurses first or do extra training in child development and weight management etc.

Personally, if they're eating well and still in the healthy range then I would not be worried, but professionally I'd refer you to your health visitor for advice.

Emelene · 09/01/2022 16:43

Are you still under the health visitor? That’s be my first port of call, but it’s always better to ask if you’re concerned.

Grapewrath · 09/01/2022 16:49

Is she fit and healthy? Does she have lots of energy? If she’s otherwise fine I’d check in with the GP who I suspect will suggest monitoring for a short period. She’s probably going to have a growth spurt but better to ge aware

oneglassandpuzzled · 09/01/2022 16:51

My daughter was like this. She didn't grow much some years. She's a perfectly healthy 5.4" 23-year-old now. She was late to have periods too.

She rarely saw a doctor and had excellent school attendance. She was a fast runner and good thrower of discus and javelin later on.

When she started school at nearly five, other mothers would tut because they thought I was being a pushy mother and insisting on her starting 'early' because she was so small. She was actually the oldest in her class.

Health visitor would be a good starting point as they are trained in child development and growth.

MrsWinters · 09/01/2022 16:54

Meat stew or veg? It looks like a good volume of food, but a bit low on protein to a quick glance?

MolkosTeenageAngst · 09/01/2022 16:59

I agree with those saying children grow in spurts so I would t be overly concerned, but there is no harm in mentioning it to the GP.

Outside of the dairylea there isn’t really any protein in what she’s eaten today so although it looks like she’s eaten a lot it is largely white carbs and watery fruit/ veg so she will be burning off the energy and getting hungry quickly, nothing you’re feeding her will keep her full up for very long so I think it’s deceptive that she is eating loads.

JustLyra · 09/01/2022 17:07

I would make an appointment.

Then you’ll find the night before the appointment she’ll likely grow 5cm and make you look silly (if she’s anything like mine!)

PicaK · 09/01/2022 17:08

Well what's the harm in asking the GP?
A quick Google of why 4 year old's stop growing throws up some worrying stuff. 12 months is worth getting checked out. Likely to be nothing to worry about though but for the sake of a GP or nurse consultation I'd get it checked.

user1471462115 · 09/01/2022 17:45

That diet is really low in protein.
Add cheese or nut butter to the crumpets and you need about six dairylea triangles for a decent protein amount.
No one can grow on a low protein diet

Kitkatchunkyplease · 09/01/2022 17:47

My three year old hasn't grown in a year but she was previously 99.6 centile and is now on the 75th so I'm not concerned as she is still taller than most of her little friends. It depends really if you think your child is small. That being said it is never wrong to speak to a GP

nocoolnamesleft · 09/01/2022 17:47

I would be concerned. If the measuring is accurate (always difficult when doing it yourself at home) that's a long time for a child that age not to have grown.

UnbeatenMum · 09/01/2022 18:15

I would see the GP. My friend's child wasn't growing and it turned out to be coeliac disease. No other symptoms.

rrhuth · 09/01/2022 18:23

Being taller than one's friends is not a good measure - if your child doesn't grow on their own line it is worth keeping an eye on that. There is a reason the red books have centiles!

3scape · 09/01/2022 18:24

My friend is an adult of 5' 4" because of some problem with his growth. It wasn't picked up until his school teachers noted his lack of growth in just over a year. So it definitely could be worth a check up, especially with a good varied diet.

lightand · 09/01/2022 18:25

I wouldnt hesitate to take her to the GP. What is the worst that can happen?

On the other hand, if you dont take her, what is the worst than can happen? Answer, potentially something serious.
So it is a no brainer.

Zapx · 28/07/2023 21:42

@Sidhdbej just wondering if you got any answers? Similar thing going on with one of my children at the moment

Flip

Swipe left for the next trending thread