Growth is a process in which various factors intervene. Get to know them!
Child growth is an extremely complex process in which various factors intervene and is one of the indicators of the health status of our children, since many diseases can cause growth arrest as the first manifestation. An endocrinologist can help us with the proper evaluation of each child, but before that, it is important to know that the size of a child is defined by various factors that intervene and interact in the correct development of children:
Endogenous (child-specific) factors:
- Genetic growth factors: There are genes in the human body that participate in the growth of a child and that are inherited from both parents. Dads’ growth genes determine 80% of their child’s final adult size.
- Hormonal growth factors: During the fetal stage, genes and hormones produced by the baby and the placenta interact to fulfill the function of growth, and after birth, growth hormone and thyroid hormones will perform this function. At puberty, sex hormones add to the growth function to culminate in the final adult size.
Exogenous (external) factors:
- The correct feeding of the child provides the necessary energy material for his growth. Malnutrition or diseases that do not allow adequate absorption of nutrients can result in short stature.
- Habits: Regular exercise for children is beneficial for growth, but not a competition or high performance. Sleep early and at night is another factor that influences the production of natural growth hormone.
- Psychological and affective. Some emotional deprivation, anorexia and depression can cause growth disturbances.
In this way, the maximum adult size will be influenced by the interaction of these factors. The expression of genes will depend on the child’s health, psychological and nutritional status. Currently, the issue of child growth is important since short stature affects not only psychologically, but also in social development and even in working life.