Concerned about DS height

katecham · January 2013

DS dropped from the 82% in height at 6 months to 70% height at 12 months and is now in the 20% at his 15 month appointment. He is 15 months and 30 inches tall weighing 25.4 pounds. The doctor did not seem very concerned about this significant drop and said she would be concerned if he crossed 2 lines on the height chart. He was measured incorrectly at the pediatrician's office (30.5 but is actually 30 inches), so if they had the right measurement he would be below the second line. Both myself and DH come from tall families and are very concerned that he isn't growing. His weight has not dropped below 70% level (although he was sick in early December and lost 1 pound, he gained it back).

Has anyone else dealt with this? Is this something to worry about or get a second opinion? He's been on asthma and reflux medication before (2-5 months, and for the last month) and has had 10 ear infections (got tubes in November). Could that have caused this?

HappyAardvark · January 2013

Honestly, I am completely talking out my asss, but 30 inches is below 20 percent on the chart?! That seems crazy. Wes was 32.5" and in the high 90s. I don't see how it could drop off the cliff like that.

Are you sure they read the chart right?

cantalopes24 · January 2013

I personally would get a second opinion. Measurements at this age are hard to get exact. He seems normal size and may have just hit growth spurts before his last visits and will probably again at 18 months. They usually chunk up then get taller, has he been packing on weight? It's more than likely fine or maybe just hasn't been enough to establish a pattern to be concerned about. I still would want a second opinion for peace of mind and because things can go downhill quick at this age I wouldn't want to wait a few months to find out there's an issue.

katecham · January 2013

https://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts/data/who/grchrt_boys_24lw_9210.pdf

This is the CDC chart and actually shows him on the 10% line... I thought they were wrong too when they said 30.5 inches is the 27%, so i checked. We remeasured today (twice, different measuring tapes) and only got him at 30 inches.

cantalopes24 · January 2013

If you look at the WHO weight for length he's at a 97.

katecham · January 2013

cantalopes24:
If you look at the WHO weight for length he's at a 97.

His weight-for-height has always been great. It just his height I"m concerned about. He hasn't grown at all since 12 months and only 1/2 inch since 9 months.

LCass · January 2013

Did you ever double check the other height measurements? It's possible that he was measured wrong at the previous appointments, too, and therefore hasn't dropped as much as you think. Honestly, I don't think they're very accurate with the height measurements (understandably, it's hard with these little wrigglers who curl up when you least expect it). Lily measured at 32" and therefore in, like, the 90th percentile, and she's definitely not a tall kid. I just assumed they measured wrong and she's probably about half an inch shorter than that or something.

blu-eyedwife · January 2013

katecham:
cantalopes24:
If you look at the WHO weight for length he's at a 97.
His weight-for-height has always been great. It just his height I"m concerned about. He hasn't grown at all since 12 months and only 1/2 inch since 9 months.

I think Lopes' point is that you might want to be using the WHO chart and not the CDC. The CDC chart is outdated and pediatricians are supposed to be using the WHO chart.

katecham · January 2013

https://www.who.int/childgrowth/standards/cht_lfa_boys_p_0_2.pdf

This is the WHO and in cm he is 76.2. This is showing him below the 15% for height. I'm starting to get nervous that the heart meds I had to be on while pregnant caused some sort of awful growth hormone imbalance and he's not going to grow anymore (crazy lady alert). I'm going to try and get him an appointment tomorrow. I know kids grow at different rates but looking thru his baby book chart he's only grown 1.25 inches since 6 months old. When do I get to stop worrying about my kid? I swear, I thought I'd be "normal" as he got older.

Scramblersmom · January 2013

If the Dr. isn't concerned then I would not drive myself crazy with worry. DS's height has been at 50%, 87%, 57%, and now 90%. I think a lot of it also depends on when they go through their growth spurts in relation to their Dr's visits. DS was measuring shorter at his last appointment but I knew he had put on a couple of inches in between appointments. Just make sure your LO is getting proper nutrition and if you are still nervous then check back in with the pedi in a month.

mrsgabus · January 2013

Levi is 21.8 pounds and 30.5 inches.

He was always at the 5025pecentile then at 9 months he dropped to 25 for weight and 6 percent for height. From 912months he gain 6 oz and didnt grow at all for height.

From 1215 months he has gained a pound and a half, and grew 2 inches.

My brother was short till he was 1415, i mean really short, he is now 6"1.

I wouldnt be too concerned. Growth spurts happen on their own time but if your worried a second opinion never hurts

aml+japan · January 2013

LCass:
Did you ever double check the other height measurements? It's possible that he was measured wrong at the previous appointments, too, and therefore hasn't dropped as much as you think. Honestly, I don't think they're very accurate with the height measurements.

ITA with this. According to "official" measurements, L is the same height now that she was at 6 months and actually shrunk drastically between 8 and 12 months. This is BS because obviously her 6 month clothes are way too short. If his height to weight are good I wouldn't worry.

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