Sons height.

[Questions12]

My son is almost 5 and about 105/106cm tall. Is that small?

I have girls, with the eldest two being on the 10th, and as teens, are roughly the same height as me (5’2). Their father is 5’6.

Youngest - giant. She’s at the top of the chart, has been since birth. Spend every visit to medical with staff looking at her, then me, then back again. She’s 6 now and 4’2 (127cm). Her father is 6’6 (he’s entirely absent, has been since I was pregnant. Lovely when you’re married and that happens).

People comment on her height constantly in the same way that being short is negative for a boy, being tall is negative for a girl. She’s also very skinny (again, takes after my ex for that - I’m slim, but he is skinny) so that is always commented on.

For the last few years I’ve started to just say “I hope you don’t make a habit of speaking about how someone is built, particularly children, it’s both damaging to their self image and rude.”

Ive not patience for it.

Yes it is passed down - both my parter and I were tested and I was the carrier, although I am actually normal height

The condition is called SHOX deletion or deficiency. Did your DD have the stim test for GH deficiency? We had genetics done at same time as stim test and the faulty gene was found. The good news is that kids with the condition can be treated with GH - they won’t be deficient in it but the extra amount can help them to grow. A few years down the line DD is now average height.

a good place to start for info and support is the Child Growth Foundation - they have a group on fb which has been a great help. And I’m happy to answer any questions.

just wanted to emphasise that what happened to us was relatively rare but concern about a child’s growth is totally valid if you are worried, and growth is so much more than appearing a bit short, although this may be the most noticeable symptom!

FernsAndFlowers

Thank you so much for your reply. I would love to ask you more questions but not sure how to message you.

I think I'll be calling the Child Growth Foundation on Monday

Xx

I'm worried about him in school.

At 25th centile he may possibly be the smallest in his year at primary school depending how many classes they have. DS was always the smallest in his year at Primary School but by Secondary school I was suprised how many boys were smaller than him. But its nothing to worry about he isnt off the chart small he is just a little smaller than average.

In the nice possible way you need to try to stop worrying and if you find you can't you need to talk to someone about it. He is not tiny, he was never likely to be tall given the genetics, there is nothing to suggest any sort of growth defect. Please just enjoy him.

Thank you. I realise I'm being a stress head. I noticed today his 4 to 5 pj's are getting small lol.

Sorry - need to correct my previous reply a bit…

it normally is inherited (although you can be a carrier with normal height, like I am)

it was passed to DD1 who is affected. DD2 hasn’t inherited the gene.

However, you can have a mutation where you don’t inherit it from anyone but the gene still goes wonky. And then it could be passed down.

I’ve sent you a DM x

People will always comment.

My 4.5 year old (boy) is 118cm and towers over the rest of the class. My 6 year old (girl) is 117cm and short. People always comment. Shes 9th centile and hes 98th. Same parents, I'm 5'8 and dad is 6'

I'm so worried for him.

I don't understand why you're worried.... He's healthy.

It would be unusual if two petite parents had a giant child!

Can you explain exactly what it is you are worried about?

I know and I'm lucky. I worry about him getting nasty comments.

I known

Sorry dont know what happened there.

If your son is unlucky enough yo be around bullies they will make nasty comments about literally anything.

My son is very short for his age and also has trichotillomania so has many ery noticeable bald spots. He is 12 so doesn't necessarily tell me everything but as far as I know has had no nasty comments and he has a good set of friends and a strong sense of self belief so even if he did they would just be water off a ducks back.

My other son has always been exceptionally tall and skinny he has had nasty comments.

My point is if people are going to be nasty they will be nasty there is generally no rhyme or reason to it and nothing you can do about it. You just have to make your son feel happy in his own skin.

I hope he is happy and I haven't given him a crap start in life.

I hope your boys are OK x

Don't feel sad for him! My lovely DP is 5'7" and I'm over 6 foot. Lots of people don't care about height.