Do children's bones grow at different rates?

[jellymaker]

My DS ( 9) says that his legs are growing at different rates. I have looked at them today, one is definitely longer than the other. Is this common? Any one else seen this in their child. Just worried it might be rickets??

It can be normal to have slightly different length legs, but if it is noticeable then I would suggest a trip to the GP as a starting point just to be on the safe side. Just occasionally there will be an issue that needs looking at. How much difference do you think there is? You can lie him down flat on the floor very straight and that might give you a better idea than when he is standing? 1cm or so could be normal, more than a couple then you do need to see the doctor.

No idea how common it is but ds2 has been diagnosed with a true leg length descrepency. He is only 18 months though so will be monitored for the next few years to see how it develops (or not).

The consultant told me the best way to check is to lie him flat on his back then bend his knees up with feet flat on the floor and hold ankles firmly together and straight. He then looked at the difference in height of his knees. Not sure if I've explained that clearly enough! He said it's easier to spot a difference that trying to compare ankles.

His hips are fine though and it's literally a case that his leg bones are slightly different lengths.

Not sure if that's much help, the issues with his legs were shrugged off by the gp, it got picked up by the hospital a couple of months later when he was in for something unrelated and they referred to paed orthopedic.