My Daughter May Have A Problem

[Frag Mortuus]

So, my daughter turned four yesterday and with that we scheduled her for her four year physical. Today we had the appointment with a new pediatrician. Well, for years now I have been concerned that my daughter hasn't been growing as she should and that she is falling behind. However, I couldn't get my family or any doctors do listen to me. But, today I asked the new doctor what percentile for growth my daughter was in, to which she replied 16th (the smaller the number, the more below average they are). Well, when she was one she was in the 40th percentile, at two she was in the 25th, and now at four she is in the 16th. So she basically isn't growing.

Now, I have a friend who's daughter was falling behind in the same way and they discovered that her pituitary gland isn't producing enough growth hormones and she now has to give her daughter injections every day.

So, tomorrow we are getting her hand x-ray'd to test her bone density age and getting blood work done to see if she has the same pituitary gland issue, or if she has a problem with her thyroid. There is a chance that she is just a small child, but my gut tells me otherwise. For example, my 16 month old son is in the 99th percentile for growth (he is a bruiser) and is only a few inches smaller than her.

I'm worried, but am glad I finally have someone listening to me.

[noiseredux]

best of luck, Frag.

[Luke]

I can't imagine being in your shoes so I'll only stress one thing that you probably already do:

Bring a notepad to the doctors office and have a field day's worth of questions for your doc. Try a long tail search of your issue and I bet there is a forum that discusses that and could be a great resource for "what questions to ask".

[Jagosaurus]

Wish you the best! I have a nephew who @ six month sis off the charts in height & weight, above 99th %tile (both healthy & proportional, just a big dude). His brothers & sisters were all tiny (he's bigger @ 6mos than they were @ 1yr). My sister (their mom) is also tiny. Sometimes genes work in odd ways. Hope it's that situation.

[BRIK]

Wish you the best! I have a nephew who @ six month sis off the charts in height & weight, above 99th %tile (both healthy & proportional, just a big dude). His brothers & sisters were all tiny (he's bigger @ 6mos than they were @ 1yr). My sister (their mom) is also tiny. Sometimes genes work in odd ways. Hope it's that situation.

This. I was nearly 6 foot by the tenth grade (oh so many years ago that was), while my sister is now about the same age and she's nowhere near that height. Genes are weird, but best of luck non the less.

[Hobie-wan]

Hope it's nothing worrisome or that can be sorted out without much discomfort on her part.

[mjmjr25]

It may be nothing - my 6yo is 59lbs 4'3" (higher end), my 8yo is 51lbs 4'1" (very low end) but no concerns. Growth is unpredictable - I was always very small like my older son, at 16 I was 5'5" and 125lbs as a sophomore and over that summer sprouted to 6'2" and 190lbs.

It's good you are looking into it, but I wouldn't stress too much until something is confirmed. When we worry about bad things we live through them twice, once in our minds, and then again when it actually happens. Try to think positive buddy - we all know it's easier said than done.

[Stark]

It's easy to say and hard to do, but like mj said, try not to freak until knowing more. Praying for your daughter bud.

[emwearz]

I am about 5"7, my brother is 6"4, sometimes people are just short, hopefully the tests come back that is is not anything serious. At any rate, it is great you are looking into it.

[Frag Mortuus]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate all of your kind words. I'm trying not to worry, I'm actually more relieved that I have a physician that is listening to my concerns for once. Even if it turns out that she does have a hormone deficiency I won't stress too much as long as it doesn't have an immediate affect on her health. I'm fine with little imperfections as long as they don't risk my children's lives or overall well being. I had a lot of health problems as a small child and some continue into today, but they don't have much bearing on my overall quality of life so I'm fine with them.

We decided to postpone the tests until Monday because she isn't feeling well from having her shots yesterday and it is making her cranky. So, we are hoping she will be a bit more cooperative by then.

Thank you all again, I appreciate your support