Children's Growth and Development

Children can be distinguished from adults primarily by their growth. The term "growth" refers to changes in the body's dimensions, such as height and weight increase, while "development" describes progress in functions, such as walking and talking. A child's body grows, and their mind develops. Growth and developmental delays can sometimes occur together, but these two conditions should be differentiated.

Liv Hospital: Treatment for Growth and Development in Children

The rate of growth in a child over a specific period, for example, a 6-month or 1-year timeframe, is referred to as growth velocity. The average growth velocity in the first year of life is 25 cm, in the second year it's 12 cm, in the third year it's 8 cm, and from six years to adolescence, it is around 5-6 cm per year. Growth retardation occurs when the growth rate in a given period is below that of peers. For instance, if a child between the ages of six and adolescence grows less than 4.5 cm per year, it indicates growth retardation. Growth charts are used to evaluate growth velocity. Physiological deviations, either upward or downward, can be observed in the growth curve during the first two years of life. If a child older than two shows a downward shift in the growth curve, growth retardation is present. Even if a child's height is normal, further investigation is necessary if growth retardation is suspected.

At Liv Hospital, specialists in pediatric diseases and particularly pediatric endocrinologists, as well as experts in child development and neurology, deal with children experiencing growth retardation.

Procedures for Growth and Development Treatment in Children

A child's height is evaluated on growth charts and curves developed for the community. If the height is below 3% for the age group, it indicates short stature. If the height falls between 3% and 97%, it is within normal limits.

A child with insufficient height growth may experience various issues. After excluding other causes, the presence of growth hormone deficiency can be assessed. The most common cause of growth retardation is inadequate nutrition. Malnutrition is more related to insufficient food intake in underdeveloped countries, while in developed countries, it is associated with chronic illnesses. Growth retardation can manifest as the first and only symptom of chronic diseases. Bone diseases and genetic disorders can also lead to short stature. Therefore, investigations should initially focus on nutritional deficiencies, chronic illnesses, and skeletal and genetic diseases. If no cause explaining the growth delay is found, tests for growth hormone deficiency are conducted. Tests involve administering medication and conducting stimulation tests.