3.5 yo growth concerns - from 75th - 9th centile

[TOOIK77]

DS (3.5) started out a bouncing 9lb and 75th on charts for height. His height dropped down to 50th at around 6mths then to just under 9th sometime between 1.5 and 2 years and has roughly followed that line since. His weight has stayed between 50-75th.

We had being seeing a paed re other issues - ongoing reflux, ent probs (had tonsils and adenoids removed and grommets in jan) who tbh was really patronising re my concerns about his dropping down the growth charts and told me it is catch down growth and ive nothing to worry about since he's following a line (9th). I'm just not convinced.

He is usually a great eater and doesn't over eat or get a lot of junk. Because of the difference in height/weight tho he does have a big tummy, chubby cheeks etc (much cuteness!) and people think he's much younger than he is.

I've contacted the child growth foundation and they said given familial height (DH is 6ft and i'm 5ft 5 and DD is between 50th-75th) that he should be monitored but I just wondered if anyone else has been through this and what we should push to get checked. He has had coeliac blood test which was negative.

thanks x

If your gut instinct says somethings off, then pursue it.

Talk to your GP as a first step and discuss a referral to a relevant doctor.

I hope it's nothing, but if it is something at least you followed your instincts.

Try to get to see an endocrinologist - they deal with all things growth. They can run all the tests on growth hormone etc. The fact he is following a line is a good thing though it doesn't explain his drop.

Child Growth Foundation are good people to be in contact with.

In my experience non-specialist paeds are often dismissive of potential growth problems (or even actual ones, citing kids under the chart 'following their own line' ffs). I'd monitor closely and push for a referral to an paediatric endocrinologist if his growth remains slow.

when you go to growth clinic they will measure very carefully and then monitor for six months.
if there is 3 cm growth in the following six months then they wont pursue further. if he is now following a line and growing along the line then the paed is right in saying that there is not much to be concerned about. they will want to see what growth is going on now - regardless of birth length etc.

you could measure carefully yourself now and in three months time and see if he is continuing to grow along the line.

you could also keep a food diary for a week and ask to review with community dietician, as his weight is higher centile - you could see if his actual calorie intake is a lot or not. is he active, moves around alot?