What is a rapid access clinic should I worry about this?

[Makinganewthinghappen]

I took my dd aged 9 to the doctor about 2 weeks ago because I was worried she doesn’t seem to have grown in height at all over the last year or two.

The gp took blood tests and sent her for an X-ray on her hand. The blood test were “satisfactory” they said her liver result and blood count was a little off but still within the satisfactory label.

Anyway she has apparently been reffered to a rapid access clinic today and I’m worrying now that they think something is seriously wrong with her!

I was expecting to wait ages for an appointment but they said it will be in the next day or two (we are waiting for a call).

She’s really very healthy apart from short!

Concerns about growth are quite often seen by Paediatricians and if it's reached the point of doing investigations like X-rays / bloods, a lot of GPs would prefer someone in Paeds see to wrap things up even if everything is reassuring, or to revisit the story in more detail.

So it's likely your GP referred as an outpatient and when the queue of referrals was being looked at, someone decided it was the sort of problem that should be seen within days / weeks rather than waiting months. Outpatient waits can be very long but a lot of departments organise themselves to be able to see a proportion quickly and take action / "close" them. Doesn't necessarily mean something terrible has been detected (in general most things in Paeds that are truly time-sensitive get actioned very quickly).

Hope that is helpful.

It may be time sensitive as if it's a hormone issue suspected for a girl they may want to start ahead of puberty...

I have family members (not my own kids) that had growth issues so could be an endocrinologist is needed

Sorry that wasn't clear - prob would want to start before puberty for boy or girl - but 9 can be closer for girls... (statistically I believe)

Thanks ! For your replies!
I wish I had taken more height measurements over the years so I could know what was normal for her.

They doctor seemed more concerned that she had grown under two cms in two years rather than the height itself. She is 9.5 and 124cm so I think that puts her on 2nd centile now.

Hey OP
Are they going to run some bloods? Or something else?

I think the hospital appointment is just to see her and decide if they need to do anymore tests or anything.

She had some blood tests at the doctor they said those were fairly normal and she’s had an X-ray but I don’t know if they are going to do anything else or just discharge next week.

My DD has been referred to the "rapid access clinic" for suspected coeliac. Her appointment is mid September so not all that rapid!

Hope your DD got seen and all is ok? I’m slightly worried about my daughters size she is 9 and 123 cm, 23 kg. She was weighed and measured last week for her annual check up regarding an unrelated condition and I was shocked by how little she is.

She did get seen and she has been refferred to an endocrinologist for more tests