14 yr old DS not growing!

[PutTheBunnyBackInTheBox]

Hi all. I'm a bit worried about DS and wanting some advice.

He is 14 (15 in 4 months) and isn't growing! He's 150cm and not showing any signs of puberty either. The other thing that's worrying me is he's eating plenty (typical teen) but because he's not growing he's putting on weight.

There has never been any concern before from GP or HV etc.

Should I be concerned and take him to the GP?

I think it might be a good idea to call NHS direct initially and see what advice they have. Some children are very late on the puberty front and this is normal. Is your DS concerned at all? If he is then yes go to see the GP.

That would concern me and I'd speak to my GP (initially without my ds there). When you say no digns of puberty do you mean absolutely none? No changes in skin, or body odour, or hair growth?

Hi thanks for replying.

No DS isn't overly concerned but does wish he was taller! There are no signs at all of puberty; voice, skin, odour. He was just out of the bath and I asked him to put his arms up, no hair whatsoever. He won't let me check anywhere else!

Please do speak to your doctor. Puberty in boys is considered delayed if its not started by 14. And - should he actually need some help in kick starting his growth, there is a limited window of opportunity.

Sounds like you have had some good advice above. I

was just going to say that. anecdotally. I know two boys (both named Simon, coincidentally) who remained child like and tiny until 6th form. Their younger sisters towered over them but both of them suddenly grew in lower 6th and both are 6' now. Don't panic at all. It must be hard for him though.

I'm not sure that underarms will tell you much about hair - don't think my son has much there though legs definitely getting hairy and voice on the change.

Agree that a GP discussion could be useful; if they are able to talk sensitively with your son they may well be able to reassure you that early signs are there (and if not refer for further checks).

I've got a friend who's son has only recently started growing and he's just about to turn 16. His younger sister has been taller than him since he was about 12, and my son - nearly 4 years younger than him, just turned 12 - has been taller than both since about then too. It's been tough for him the last couple of years I suspect.

Thanks everyone, I'll take a trip to see our GP.

My DB was the same at 14. He didn't grow/voice didn't break until 17...but it happened eventually and he's now 6ft and about to become a dad. Don't worry too much, it will happen.

if you have a dentist appointment coming up they can tell lots from the x rays. I had a super late bloomer, waited forever for the molars to come through for the last phase of braces. when we were dropping him off at uni (on an escalator) his older brother asked him if he had any body hair....because his face and legs were totally bare....
he grew 2 inches (as did my husband) during his first year of uni. and both over 6ft.

Definitely worth a trip to doctors. My son has a chromosome abnormality and we have been told a side effect may be delayed start to puberty. But we have been told it can easily be kick started with horome treatment.

Out2: that's interesting as one of my DDs developed relatively late (1st period 15.5) but her main frustration was that she couldn't have the brace she needed on her teeth as they were not ready. The dentist asked if she were late developmentally in other areas to which we said "YES!" So she had train tracks for the whole of 6th form

She grew to average height in lower 6th and is now a mother but it obviously is an indicator.

ds was almost 15 when he had his growth spurt (upwards).
From about 12 he had been putting on weight and was getting quite tubby (which he never had been prior to that). When he was 15, he grew about 8 inches, and really grew into his weight. He is 6' now at 21, and not fat.

Dd also began menarch late, 15-16, but was active in a sport 20 hrs per week.
Ds late bloom affected his sports performance during that period which was both sad and frustrating.

Does he have pubic hair? Hairy legs? (Armpit hair happens much later so an absence of that isn't a concern). No pubes at age 15 needs investigating.

Out2 - interesting - my DDs were also super fit and sporty so think that delayed their puberty too. This one was just even later than her sisters. Though some of their contemporaries developed early despite sport so guess it's a mix of genes and lifestyle like most things.