Patient's question:
My son was born via cesarean section on January 28, 2002, weighing 5 jin 9 liang and measuring 50 cm in length. Both parents are relatively short (father: 1.64 meters, mother: 1.58 meters). The consultation report states that there is a healing trend in the proximal epiphysis of the left tibia, but the distal epiphysis of the left femur has not healed (previous bone age assessments measured only one part, but the doctor informed that at 12 years old, two parts need to be measured). The doctor mentioned that his adult height is likely around 1.6 meters and suggested trying growth hormone injections.Due to the family's poor financial condition and the need to support our mother who suffers from a blood tumor, coupled with my son's age, I am unsure if growth hormone injections will be effective. How long would he need to be on growth hormone in his situation? If it helps his height, I am willing to do anything, even sell our house, to support him.
Does traditional Chinese acupuncture have any auxiliary effect on height increase? Can acupuncture be used alongside growth hormone injections to support treatment?
Could you please clarify whether his condition is close to healing or still not healed? Is it possible that he is experiencing early maturation? How much more growth potential does he have in this situation?
I sincerely hope you can help me with these answers. Thank you very much!
Doctor's answer:
Hello! Based on the information you provided, your child is currently developing normally and is not precocious. It's just that their bone age is advanced, which may affect their final adult height. Currently, the predicted height based on your child's bone age is 170 cm. Without medication, this is the maximum height they are likely to reach. If growth hormone is used to catch up on height during puberty, they may exceed this number. However, it is impossible to predict how much taller they will grow. If growth hormone is used, it will be discontinued once the growth plates have closed, as there would be no further benefit from continued use. Before starting growth hormone treatment, some tests will be conducted, such as blood glucose tests and head MRI scans. If used at normal treatment doses, growth hormone is very safe with few and mild side effects, most of which are tolerable and will subside after discontinuing the medication.