Growth Failure in Children (cont.)

Medical Author:

Stephen Kemp, MD, PhD

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Exams and Tests

The doctor or health-care practitioner will measure the child's weight and height. He or she may also ask about the child's birth weight and birth height. The doctor may use the parents' heights to calculate the child's projected potential adult height. The doctor may also want to know the timing of puberty in the parents. The doctor may take measurements of the limbs and trunk to determine the child's body proportions.

The doctor may perform blood tests to check for hormones and to rule out specific syndromes associated with growth failure. The following blood tests may be performed:

• thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone tests,



• serum electrolyte levels,



• complete blood count and sedimentation rate,



• insulin-like growth factor 1 and insulin-like growth factor -- binding protein 3 tests, or a



• growth hormone stimulation test.

An MRI of the head may be indicated in children with growth hormone deficiency to rule out a brain tumor.

X-rays may be taken of the left wrist to compare with standard charts. This image can also be used to determine the child's bone age and growth potential.