Tiny ds (15) poss hormone issue?

[whojamaflip]

Reposted from chat

Ds (15) has always been tiny - was 3 weeks early and had a failure to thrive as a baby, was finally diagnosed with asthma.

He's still really short - 143cm and the smallest in his year at school. Up til recently he's been perfectly ok with his height but a few months ago admitted it's starting to get to him - low level teasing and he's known as titch in school.

Took him to the gp who has spoken to paeds who want to take blood tests and refer him for a growth plate X-ray on his hand.

So just waiting for the appointment and wondering what happens now? I know it will involve injections if it is a hormone problem but wondering if anyone has any experience of this?

No signs of puberty yet either and everyone assumes he's about 10 😕 apart from his height he's happy and healthy - just really short 😕

I'd recommend you contact the child growth foundation for advice. They have a very helpful and active Facebook group with many parents who have kids with similar issues. It's good news that he's not in puberty yet but being 15 he's fast running out of growing time so you do need to act quickly if you want him to get benefit from any growth hormone injections which may be required. My son is 3 and is on growth hormone injections due to a genetic growth disorder.

The growth plate X-ray will show how much growing time he has left.

Any other issues? Coeliac disease is a common diagnosis for babies described as 'failure to thrive'

My DH was exactly like your DS. He had testosterone injections at 14/15 and it pushed him into puberty. He then grew about 5 inches in 12 months. He is 5' 8" and that's normal for his family size-wise.

My DS (7) is also tiny for his age and the paediatrician we're seeing has told us it may be genetic and he will follow in his father's footsteps. DS has had the wrist x ray and his bone age is 18 months younger than his actual age. No other health issues so we will wait and see.

DS is starting to realise he is smaller than his peers so we are helping him with confidence and resilience if anyone comments. So far, no problems but he has a very cute face and I think that helps!

Does your DS have a tight friendship group? My DH said his mates were brilliant and that really helped.

Is there any other concerns with him? My brother got diagnosed with chrohns disease at 15, he was very short and didn't gain weight. Something to do with the body fighting other problems. He's fine now, 6ft3, 27 and chrohns hasn't flared up since. but it was his growth and stomach pains which first put my mum on high alert.

Thanks for the replies 😊

He does have a tight friendship group which is great but the couple that were short like him have shot up in the last 12 months and I think it's really brought it home how short he really is!

Interesting re the Chrohns and coeliacs - he has complained from time to time about really bad stomach pain which has left him doubled up. It seems to hit him and hang around for about a week then he's fine for a few months again. It's happened 3 times in the last couple of years and I'm afraid I just put it down to stomach migraine or he'd picked up a stomach bug. He does tell me his bowels can be quite loose and he does suffer from the worlds worst smelling wind! Honestly that child can clear a room in about 3 seconds flat!!!

I would have thought if he did have chrohns or coeliacs he would be much more poorly - however I know nothing about either condition so could be wrong.

Might have another chat with the GP.

Coeliac test is just a blood test to check for antibodies initially so well worth asking for, they may want to confirm with endoscopy if the blood test is positive.

So appointment with endocrinology is in July - blood tests this week also.

Does anyone know what will happen at the appointment? Just want to prepare ds so he knows what to expect.