Growth and development patterns of adolescents

The growth stage is from birth to the early puberty, and the development stage is when entering puberty. Therefore, growth and development are closely related and complement each other, but there are also essential differences. Growth mainly depends on growth hormone, and development mainly depends on sex hormones. Males generally enter the development state after the age of 10, and females generally enter the development state after the age of 8.

Rule 1: The standard lifelong height for Chinese boys is 173cm, and the standard lifelong height for Chinese girls is 160cm. If you are taller than the average height, there is no need for intervention. Refuse anxiety and refuse involution.

Rule 2: Epiphysis closure, height no longer increases. Generally speaking, boys' epiphysis closes at 14-15 years old, and girls' epiphysis closes at 12-13 years old. Bone age can be used to understand the child's bone growth, the degree of epiphysis closure, and the potential for later growth. If a child's growth and development is abnormal, he or she should see a doctor before the epiphysis closes. Bone age should be monitored 7 times a year from 3 years old to pre-puberty, and once every 3-6 months during puberty.

Rule 3: Generally speaking, the average annual growth from the age of three to the early puberty is 6cm. Children grow and develop in a pipeline-like manner. Under normal circumstances, children grow and develop along the growth curve. The height will fluctuate around the growth curve of the child's current height, and there will be no significant increase or decrease. Therefore, the final height is generally predicted based on the growth curve, and the current p-value level of the child will roughly correspond to the final height level. However, there are differences between different individuals, and the prediction of final height is for reference only.

Draw a growth curve according to the law of growth and development, as shown in the figure:

Rule 4: Parents of short children need to be vigilant.

1. The top three students in height in the class

2. Growth is less than 5cm per year

3. When the height is 5cm behind the standard height: the genetic height is good and the child can be observed further after evaluation; if the parents’ height is behind, the parents need to pay attention.

4. If the height is 8cm behind the standard height, consider intervention with growth hormone therapy

Rule 5: The development period for boys is 10-14 years old. The onset of puberty in boys is first manifested by an increase in testicular volume (testicular volume > 4ml), followed by growth and thickening of the penis, growth of pubic and axillary hair, a deepening of the voice, growth of a beard, and nocturnal emission.

Girls develop at the age of 8-12. Girls' puberty begins with breast development, breast swelling, and a hard lump under the nipple, accompanied by tenderness. Breast development can start on one side or on both sides at the same time. The order of sexual development of adolescent girls is: breast development, pubic hair growth, changes in external genitalia, armpit hair growth, and menstruation.

How to grow taller - During the growth and development process, it is necessary to regularly monitor height changes.

1. Balanced diet: 250-500ml of pure milk per day, 1-2 eggs per day; red meat is the main meat, such as beef, mutton, and lean pork. Vegetables and fruits are mainly in season. Don't be afraid of getting fat, but don't be afraid of getting thin. Avoid high-sugar foods, fried foods, fast food, silkworm pupae, etc.

2. Exercise promotes height growth, and exercise should exceed 1 hour every day.

3 Get enough sleep and go to bed early as possible.

4. Create a good mood, stay happy, and refuse to put pressure.

5. Growth hormone treatment, once a day/once a week*1 year.

What should we pay attention to?

1. Pay attention to the height of parents: mother's height is 155cm or less, and father's height is 166cm or less.

2. Children with short stature, who grow less than 5cm taller each year; who often sit in the first row of the classroom; and who are much shorter than their peers.

3. Pay attention to your child’s sexual development. Girls will develop breasts before the age of 8, and boys will develop testicles before the age of 9.