Growth

• A to Z: Failure to Thrive

  Failure to thrive refers to a child’s inability to gain weight and grow as expected for kids of the same age and gender. Most diagnoses are made in the first few years of life.

• Body Mass Index (BMI)

  Doctors use body mass index (BMI) measurements to assess a child’s physical growth in relation to other kids the same age. Here’s how to calculate BMI and understand what the numbers mean.

• Delayed Puberty

  Puberty usually begins in girls 8-14, and in boys 9-15. If kids pass this normal age range without showing any signs of body changes, it’s called delayed puberty.

• Developmental Milestones: 12 Months (1 Year)

  Doctors use milestones to tell if a child is developing as expected. Here are some things your child may be doing at 12 months (1 year).

• Developmental Milestones: 18 Months (1.5 Years)

  Doctors use milestones to tell if a child is developing as expected. Here are some things your toddler may be doing at 18 months (1.5 years).

• Dwarfism

  Dwarfism is a condition that is characterized by short stature. Many of the possible complications of dwarfism are treatable, and people of short stature lead healthy, active lives.

• Failure to Thrive

  Most kids grow well but some have ”failure to thrive.” This means they don’t gain weight as expected and may not grow as tall as they should.

• Flat Feet

  Most babies and toddlers have flat feet. As they grow, an arch usually develops. But some kids have flat feet for life.

• Growing Pains

  Growing pains are leg pains and soreness that happen to kids at night, usually when they’re 3 to 12 years old.

• Growth and Your 1- to 2-Year-Old

  You’re in for a year of changes! Midway through this year, most babies are walking and starting to lose that “baby” look.