Patient's question:
Can the children's hospital conduct a detailed examination of the fusion of growth plates? My daughter is 16 years old. She has hardly grown in height over the past year, but now she is only 153 cm tall. I want to take her for a check-up before the New Year to see if the growth plates have fused and to check her growth hormone levels to see if she can still grow taller.Doctor's answer:
Based on your previous description, it can be clearly determined that the child's main issue is short stature. It is recommended to revisit the pediatric department of the hospital, have bone age X-rays taken to assess the fusion of the epiphyses, and undergo a growth hormone stimulation test to understand whether the condition is caused by a lack of growth hormone. If it is, growth hormone should be administered promptly to promote height increase. It is also advised that the child maintain a balanced diet with a mix of meat and vegetables, engage in regular physical exercise, and continue to lead a healthy lifestyle.