Small Children

[heart4pooh]

We had an incident yesterday where a woman at the icecream shop guessed that my seven yr old son was four! He is 42 inched tall and 39 lbs. He is smaller than his 5 yr old friend. It just breaks my heart! We had him checked out at Duke University and he is perfectly healthy. He doesn't eat much. He's just not interested. After a few bites he says he's full!! I guess with school starting this week, I just hope the kids don't make fun of him. Has any body known anybody that used the growth hormone shots? It's not even a question now at his age, I'm just wondering. His doctor did mention it a while back, but not to use them until he's 9 or 10. He was 9 lb, 13 oz. at birth, but I had gestational diabetes. He lost a lb in the hospital, and has had failure to thrive ever since. I took 9 wks for him to get to his birth weight! TIA

 

[Christine]

Are you and his father "small"? It may be, genetically, that he's just going to be small.

 

[golfgal]

Did they check him for growth hormone deficiency when he went through his testing? What else did he get tested for? I have a son that is small, we did have him tested for growth hormone problems, he was in the normal range, but he is still small. DH was a late developer and didn't hit his growth spurt until he was in college, so DS will probably do the same thing. How tall are your and dad?

As for the growth hormone, it is a shot a day for a year or two and very expensive. Not all insurance plans cover the cost of the shots. Get him to a pediatric endocrinologist and have him checked out. I would also find out what the issue is with the eating. That could be a lot of his problem. Some friends have a DS that wasn't a big eater. He was at the dr for something else and they did and x-ray. They discovered that his bowels were all backed up, major constipation, and he figured out that when he ate, he would have to go to the bathroom and it hurt, so he didn't eat. Once they got that turned around he started growing.

 

[eeyore kelly]

I can feel your pain. I have a 5 year old niece who was a preemie and she looks three. My adopted nephew was a preemie and was malnourished by his biological family, he is 7 and looks five. No advice.. just {{hugs}}

 

[heart4pooh]

Thanks for the hugs. I do need them today. He was checked out by a pediatric endocrinologist at Duke. It cost us $1000! They covered everything, and I feel comfortable that there is nothing that we're missing.His growth hormone level was normal, too. My father is smallish and so is my husband. My brother is 6 ft and my other son is 17 and 6 ft, too (half-brother). We do everything we can to add calories to what he is already eating. I guess it just stings when adults mention how small he is, I can only wonder how the kids are going to treat him...I know in the bigger scheme of things we are so blessed in so many ways. It just hurts today. Thanks, again.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

My five year old daughter is only 39" and about 32 pounds. Her twin brother is perfectly normal though. I have always just assumed that is her genetics since the doctor has never said anything. Most peopel assume she is about 3.

 

[crz4mm2]

My DS is now 25 and a strapping young man. HE was small for his age until about 5th grade though.
I worried about it too, but his pediatrician said he was just small for his age and would eventually catch up.
I feel your pain, but you have already done the medical testing. Try not to worry. Yes, kids can be tough, but just try and support your son.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Some people can be so mean with their comments. I still remember my nephew being about that age, and being with him on the playground and someone (an adult) commenting on how he looked a lot younger. That was over 25 years ago and it has stuck with me. It was a good lesson for me about how words can be so powerful.

Fast forward to recently in line at a water park. My family was chatting with a family in back of us and my 5yo asked how old the kids were. The boy that was about Jake's age was a lot smaller than he is and they had a 10yo boy that looked to be about 7. Of course my big mouth son commented on their size and I was quick to explain to him that people come in all sizes.

That's good that you had your son checked out to make sure there are no medical reasons that he is not growing faster. Odds are he is a late grower or could be taking after shorter relatives.

It would be easier for him if adults knew how to keep their insensitive comments to themselves!

T&B

 

[diznygirl]

DS is 5 1/2 and has is probably the smallest in his K class. He is just 40 inches - so he can ride those rides at Disney - and about 38 lbs. We know two kids who were born on the same day - but are both a head taller! It's just genetics in our case as both DH and I are short. He has had his thyroid tested, but everything seems normal.

Don't think she was insensitive to guess younger, just consider her a bad guesser!!

 

[jajuan]

Wow...as I started to read this, I had tears. My DS5 is 40 and 3/4 inches. Dr is sending him to endrocronologist, but by making the appointment in June, they didn't have anything open until October. He started K this year and is by far the smallest. He really doesn't seem to mind yet and I try not to say anything...the only time I do is if he isn't eating...you need to eat so you can grow. He has a 3yr old brother that is catching up fast. I worry daily whether anything is wrong with him. I am glad to hear that there are others with this problem and nothing is wrong...it is helping to put my mind at ease. He was on a normal growth pattern until about 2 years ago and then started declining in percentile...I am not sure he is on the chart now. According to Dr, his height "should" be 5 10 judging from my DH and my height...and my 3 other children are right on track.

I know it is hard for us to deal with something that may be troublesome for our children (teasing), but as long as we raise them with confidence, they will come through just fine

 

[golfgal]

Wow...as I started to read this, I had tears. My DS5 is 40 and 3/4 inches. Dr is sending him to endrocronologist, but by making the appointment in June, they didn't have anything open until October. He started K this year and is by far the smallest. He really doesn't seem to mind yet and I try not to say anything...the only time I do is if he isn't eating...you need to eat so you can grow. He has a 3yr old brother that is catching up fast. I worry daily whether anything is wrong with him. I am glad to hear that there are others with this problem and nothing is wrong...it is helping to put my mind at ease. He was on a normal growth pattern until about 2 years ago and then started declining in percentile...I am not sure he is on the chart now. According to Dr, his height "should" be 5 10 judging from my DH and my height...and my 3 other children are right on track.

I know it is hard for us to deal with something that may be troublesome for our children (teasing), but as long as we raise them with confidence, they will come through just fine

I hear you. DS13 is the smallest kid in his school. Try being an 8th grade boy and living through that! His 10 year old twin siblings are about 1/4 inch taller, but they haven't figured that one out yet.

 

[monarchsfan16]

I'm the smallest kid in my family. I'm the oldest too. I've been small always, although I have gained weight since I was little (I was dangerously thin due to an overactive nervous stomach in elementary). My stepsister who is 5 years younger than me has been taller than me for at least 2 years. My sister, who's 4 years younger than me is just about my height. Yeah, I've been teased. I met my 3 college roommates on Saturday. They're all taller than me. When I was little the teasing definitely hurt. Adults are probably the worst guessers of age. I'm 18. Just a few weeks ago a family friend's neighbor guessed that I was 13. Ummm NO. I've learned to live with it, but yes it does hurt. I promise though, your son will make it through, and there will be people who won't tease him. Until he finds those people, lots of hugs for him will help a lot. I expect the teacher will keep a close eye on him. My sister was the youngest and smallest in her grade for quite awhile. The teachers watched her like a hawk. It must be those Italian genetics working against us.
And hey, good things come in little packages right.

 

[heart4pooh]

Thanks for your replies. I've had an emotional day today. I met my older son in the ER. He was hemmoraging from his tonsilectomy he had last week. I couldn't believe all the blood. It was truly scary. He's ok now. But, I'm a little on edge. We are leaving in half an hour to go meet my little one's teacher and see who will be in his class this year. If you could spare some P & PD it would mean a lot. TIA

 

[disneymom3]

I just wanted to let you know that there was a boy I went to school with all through elementary, jr high and high school who was reallly really short in elementary and even into Jr high. However, by the end of high school, while he was still on the short side (I'd say 5'8") for a guy, he was really really hot and one of the major heart throbs in our entire school!

There is hope mom, never fear!

Glad older DS is okay! Good luck with the meeting tonight, I am sure your younger one will have plenty of friends and with his caring mom in his corner will be able to whether any of these storms!

 

[lulugirl]

Thanks for your replies. I've had an emotional day today. I met my older son in the ER. He was hemmoraging from his tonsilectomy he had last week. I couldn't believe all the blood. It was truly scary. He's ok now. But, I'm a little on edge. We are leaving in half an hour to go meet my little one's teacher and see who will be in his class this year. If you could spare some P & PD it would mean a lot. TIA

Wow, you're having a rough day! I'm sorry!
Tomorrow will be better!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

{{{HUGS}}} for your current situation.

As far as growth hormone shots, my dd has been on them for 2+ years. Started when she was 6yo. She will be 9 next month.

Edited due to the fact I missed your other post.....

I am glad he checked out fine. My dd stopped growing from 5-6 and was never on the growth charts to begin with.

If you have questions, just ask!

 

[stm61]

I have fraternal twin dd's 6 1/2. One is just 44" and just hit 40 lbs. Her twin, who was exactly 1 lb and 1/2" bigger at birth, is almost 49" and over 50 lbs. It's to the point that people think the larger one is 2 yrs older and then think she was left behind in school when they discover they're both starting 1st gr next month. The smaller one is usually the smallest wherever they are. My dh is about 6'2", I'm 5'9". While the dr comments on the size difference, he says as long as she's growing consistently he's not worried. He's putting the difference down to her paternal grandmother who's around 5'3".

 

[DisneyArk]

Sorry you're having a bad day. My ds7 is also very, very small for his age. He's always been small and now my ds5 is the same size!! People are always asking if the boys are twins, but they are 2 years apart. I really think the comments bother me much more than they bother him.

We have several friends who have daughters who are ds7's age and the girls are more than a head taller than him. It makes me feel bad for him when they use his head as an arm rest... So ds7 just started school (2nd grade) and most of the kids in kindergarten are his height or taller!!

My son's pediatrician will not give him growth hormones - even though he has always been in the 20-30 percentile on height. I've never thought about taking him to an endocrinologist.

Anyway, I'm thinking of you and I can relate to how you feel.

 

[diznygirl]

It just runs in the family. My dad claims his grandfather was a tall man - I said, "What? 5'7"?" He did not find that funny!

Cousins-in-law have two daughters. I thought DS was finallly catching up to the 5 year old, but turns out it's the 3 year old catching up to him! But they have many, many tall people in that family.

Hope your day gets better!

 

[PaulaSue]

Hey, My BF and her family just moved down there last year to be near Duke for her DH's cancer treatments. She can't stand the bugs and other pests down there, is it really that bad?

Back to your OP..... My cousin was REALLY small and they had him go though all kinds of testing. I know they talked about doing shots but can't remember if they actually did. (I was living in NYC area as a Nanny then) Now he is about 6'5" tall. So there is hope. His older brother is about as tall too but wasn't on the short side ever. They both tower over their mother 5' and father about 5' 8".

Best Wishes for your DS!