18 month old with slowed growth

[FurryGiraffe]

DS2 is 18 months. He was 50th centile at birth, and gradually dropped to 25th at six months. Now, at 18 months, he’s 2nd for weight and 0.4th for length. He’s growing, but it’s very slow. Developmentally, he’s a bit late walking (he’s just about got there in the last week) and also late with teeth (only has 7). But speech is ok (understanding very good and he has a few words) and his fine motor skills are fantastic.

I’ve been concerned about growth for a while, but GP (who we’ve seen lots for asthma) wasn’t worried. But have just seen the consultant in relation to the asthma and she’s clearly concerned about his size and is reviewing in three months. I’m panicking a bit about causes. The consultant has done bloods for coeliac disease, which I honestly don’t think is the issue because his digestion seems fine, though we did have lots of trouble with wind from 6-12 months.

Anyone have any similar experience?

We our going through it at the moment. I'm glad the paediatrician you saw with your son has referred you on. Our sons gp referred us on when DS had crossed two centile lines. He is currently seeings paediatric endocrinologist for investigation's into delayed growth. The first step was to rule out illnesses like coeliacs etc. I hope you get the answers you need .

There are many causes for slowed growth - you could contact the child growth foundation for advice on what should be investigated. They have a Facebook group which is useful. Does he eat well or is his appetite reduced?

My son is way below the growth charts but has always been since he was born. He has a growth disorder called Russell Silver Syndrome. He's started growth hormone therapy and has finally started to grow at an increased rate and is heading for catch up growth.

Thanks for the replies.

Iwanthertoloveit34. We’re seeing a paediatric respiratory specialist at the moment. She’s talked about referring to endocrinology as a next step if the bloods don’t reveal anything/he doesn’t suddenly grow hugely before his next appointment.

flutterby77. Thanks: I’ve never heard of the child growth foundation: I’ll have a look. His appetite is fine: I honestly don’t think the problem is calorie consumption or some kind of food intolerance. I think the consultant went down the coeliac route because the growth started dropping off on weaning and because he has asthma, but he really doesn’t have any of the symptoms apart from slow growth. He’s basically very healthy apart from the asthma and being a titch! Hope your DS responds well to treatment.

Are there any short people in your extended family?

Nobody particularly short. We’re not a family of giants, but we’re not particularly short either. I’m average height at 5’5”. DH is 5’8” which is a bit shorter than average but not drastically so. DS1 is 4.5 and 25th centile for height- so pretty much in line to be DH’s height as an adult.

Coeliac can present as slowed growth.
Get the referral to endocrinology. They will measure properly (every inch) and then wait six months anyway to see growth rate. So get referred as soon as.

Well a male is usually taller than his shortest parent so he could be shorter than your DH what about your grandparents etc? It’s not unusual for shortness to skip a generation or two.

Also look at growth pattern. In my DH family they all stopped growing young - girls by 10/11 (despite being very tall) and DH was 14!! My family are short but slow growers - I grew at 18 which is unusual for female. Our DC are a mix, the tall one def all DH family was 98th centile but stopped at 12ish, the short one is still slowly creeping upwards at 14 - both girls were exceptionally tall at age 4/5.

Youngest started as a baby as huge as them by a year had really dropped the centiles but at 12 is average height and definitely not finished growing yet and may overtake the 14 year old.

My eldest DD is completely my EX’s family really odd! Her best friend is tiny, Mum and Dad taller than average but her Dad’s brother is tiny and her Mum the tallest of her female siblings. Catching up or down height and weight in the first 18 months is fairly common.

Anyway jus an anecdotal story that demonstrates that there be nothing medically wrong although I do agree you should get things ruled out

Coeliac can present as slowed growth.

Thanks- I knew it was a symptom but not that it can be the only presentation. That’s useful. We’ll see what the blood test says.

RandomMess.
Thanks for sharing your experiences. He’s very definitely out of line with both sides of the family, both in terms of size and growth pattern.

that must be worrisome, I hope they take it seriously and get to the bottom of the cause

There are so many things it could be but definitely get a referral to an endocrinologist. Coeliac's gets a lot of airtime but there are many other causes you would want to look into. Our son is on growth hormone - due to pituitary issues. Don't be brushed off - if your GP isn't helping, then it's time to go elsewhere.