One of the biggest concerns of parents is that their children enjoy good health.
And one of the indicators is the good growth and development of the little ones.
How do you know if a child is not growing properly? What is the name of a growth problem specialist? When should I take my child to a specialist?
Dr. Miguel Ángel Guagnelli, a pediatric endocrinologist graduated from UNAM who has collaborated with Danonino on issues related to growth, helped us clear up all these doubts.
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What do I do if my child is not growing?
According to Dr. Guagnelli, three pieces of information are needed to know that a child is growing well:
If you feel that your child is not growing properly, consult your pediatrician first, he may refer you to an endocrinologist.
What does an endocrinologist cure?
An endocrinologist is a doctor who specializes in diseases of metabolism, hormones, and nutritional problems.
If there is a problem in the endocrine system (thyroid, etc.), a metabolic disorder (diabetes, osteoporosis) or a nutritional problem (overweight, obesity, malnutrition), the endocrinologist is the one to solve them.
When should I take my child to the endocrinologist?
Some signs to watch out for when taking a child to the endocrinologist include:
How much does a child grow per year?
"This figure changes over time, but broadly speaking we can say that between the ages of 2 and 4 they have to grow 8 to 10 cm per year and between the ages of 4 and puberty between 5 and 6 cm per year (approximately 1 cm every 2 months)," says Dr. Guagnelli.
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When should I see an endocrinologist?
"Ideally, children should have regular monitoring by their pediatrician (at least once a year) and if they detect a problem in the growth, send them to the endocrinologist".
"But if as a mother you notice that it takes a long time to change the size of your clothes (lengthwise), of shoes or even if you do the test to mark your height on the wall with the appropriate technique and you see that you do not win at least 1 cm every 2 months, it's time to see a pediatric endocrinologist," says Dr. Guagnelli.
Are growth charts that calculate children's height and weight reliable?
"Yes, a height calculation is made based on the height of mom and dad, but that is taken with a range generally +/- 5 cm. That is, what that calculation indicates should be a range, not a precise height," the doctor explained.
Height is a genetic issue
Finally, it is very important to consider that genetics have a relevant weight in the issue of growth. Many parents turn to specialists because they expect their children to outgrow them.
The pediatric endocrinologist will rule out hormonal problems, diabetes, metabolism, overweight or obesity, or other conditions that may be undermining your growth.
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