[Concern] I am worried that my tall child’s growth plates might close early.

My son is currently in the fifth grade of elementary school.

I was less than 3 kilograms when I was born.

Growing up, I was slightly taller than my peers.

I was always thin because I didn't gain weight.

Until kindergarten, I was just an average child who didn't need to worry.
Since my friends who play together are quite tall, I was similar to them.

I have always been on the lighter side in terms of weight.

 

However, COVID-19 broke out when I was in first grade of elementary school.
There are quite a few children who grew up quickly without going to school during this time.
My son is the same.
At that time, my height was around medium, and my weight was slightly on the lighter side.
I grew tall with a lean and slightly larger build.
After that, I started to gain weight.

I was overweight in the second year and obese in the third year.

Others would not think at all that I am obese.

A slim, potbellied person.

I was so worried about gaining a lot of weight that I sent him to Taekwondo.
Meanwhile, my height is also growing rapidly.
It grows about 10 centimeters a year.

 

 

(Photo: Last winter)

 

 

 

I am currently in 5th grade and my height exceeds 160 cm.
I'm not sure because I didn't measure precisely.
Since I am taller than the 160 cm person, I think I am probably around 161 to 162 cm.

Actually, I was secretly proud because they grew up so well.

Mom is 160, Dad is 180.

I thought I grew up well, resembling Dad.

Because I think men should be tall, I just told him to keep growing like this.

The problem is due to precocious puberty.
I'm worried that I might not grow taller later on.

 

 

 

(Photo source: The Greater Growth Clinic Blog)

 

 

What is precocious puberty

 

Secondary sexual characteristics that appear during puberty
Girls are under 8 years old, boys are under 9 years old.
It is said to be a condition that begins early.
The correct disease name is precocious puberty.
Precocious puberty occurs because the period of rapid height growth appears earlier.
Although I appeared taller than my peers in elementary school,
It is highly likely that the final height will be shorter than the average height.
Because the growth plates close quickly, the period during which growth can occur becomes shorter.

If precocious puberty is left untreated
The final height can be more than 10cm shorter than the original expected height.
It is said that special caution is necessary.

Recently, the increase in childhood obesity, environmental hormones, and sleep habits
Stress, increased use of electronic devices, etc.
The number of patients with precocious puberty is increasing.
Early onset of puberty
Aiming to delay secondary sexual characteristics as much as possible
It is necessary to adjust the treatment method through periodic sex hormone tests.

I was worried, but I didn't think it was serious.

While reading other people's concerns in the community and leaving comments
Reading about how they are being tested because they are growing faster than other children
I am also becoming completely serious.

Precocious puberty

In the case of boys, the testicles enlarge and pubic hair begins to grow.
It is said that acne appears and a change in voice occurs.
My son does not have any of these symptoms at all yet, but
I could smell it from the crown of my head.

So, not quite to the point of precocious puberty, but

What should I do if there is a problem with bone age?

What if I grow like this and then stop growing later?

 

 

 

 

When I was in elementary school, there was a really cool male student at our school.
He was very handsome, tall, and masculine, so he was extremely popular.
But I happened to see that friend when I became a high school student.
I was really surprised because I was the same height as when I was in elementary school.

Thinking about that friend, I worry that my son might not grow much during middle and high school.
People around me say that based on my son's physique, he probably won't grow much taller.

It could be called a full stomach worry, but

Actually, that's an unknown story.

I was originally worried, but I thought the child was growing well.
I was just hesitating, putting off concerns about bone age testing and precocious puberty.
Now, I think if it gets any later, we might not be able to find a solution.
Suddenly, worries just started flooding in.

What if there is a problem with bone age, even if it's not full-blown precocious puberty?

I think I need to get my head together and solve things one by one first...

 

 

Right now, the most urgent thing is to prioritize the bone age test, isn't it?
I live in Daegu. Where can I get a bone age test in Daegu?

I found out that in Daegu, it is possible at Daegu Medical Center or Dongtan Hospital.
Would it be possible here only with the pediatrician's opinion letter?
It seems like they also do it at HanYoung Children's Hospital.

Is it better to go here before the general hospital? Or directly to the general hospital?

I'm also 고민ing about where to go.
Shall we go to the pediatric clinic we are attending and discuss first?
If I get tested, is it enough to get tested at just one place?
Maybe it's better to try around two places...

Please let me know if anyone knows.ㅠㅠ