Patient's question:
Does taking supplements to help children grow taller and stronger cause early puberty? My child is 7 years old and quite short. I am very concerned and want to buy some supplements to help my child grow taller and gain weight, but I'm worried that taking too much might cause early puberty. Could you give me some advice? Should I take them?Doctor's answer:
Your concerns are necessary and it is highly likely that they may occur again. It is still recommended to adjust through diet. Encourage the child to engage in more physical exercise, such as running, jumping, and playing soccer, which are all great activities. In terms of diet, consume more high-protein foods like lean meat, eggs, and milk. Since the child is so young, medication is not advisable for treatment, as most of those medications contain hormones. If it is only through dietary supplements, it is generally never likely to cause precocious puberty. At the age of 7, the child has not yet reached puberty, so slow growth is normal. As long as you ensure that the child does not lack meat and does not practice extreme dieting, with a balanced combination of meat and vegetables and sufficient nutrition, everything will be fine.