I recall that every summer, children and parents come to the pediatric endocrinology department to consult with us.
He walked into the consultation room for the first time. He was so pretty but refused to look up, and was accompanied by his worried parents.
I learned from his mother that he was a senior in a major city high school, with excellent grades, good people skills, many hobbies, modest and respectful, strict with himself, and well liked by his teachers and classmates. And has reached the age of 15 years old, he is only 155 cm tall.
Not long ago, the grade held a basketball tournament, each class to send six students to participate in the team, I like basketball, did not hesitate to raise their hands to sign up. But the tall sports commissioner touched my head and said, ‘You’re so short, like a little girl, just cheer for us on the sidelines! I looked at him with my head held high and couldn’t say a word.
His father said that since junior high school he felt that his child’s height was shorter than his peers, and at that time he had the intention of going to the hospital for consultation, but his grandparents and others in the family said that children grow early and late, and at a certain age they will naturally grow taller. After hearing this, the plan to take the child to the doctor was put on hold. However, as he got older, the boy’s height grew more and more slowly, and the gap with his peers became more and more obvious. This time, after the basketball game, the child became very low self-esteem, the whole day moping. Seeing the child like this, the parent’s heart is also not a good feeling.
When I heard this, the boy suddenly raised his head and his voice almost trembled.
From then on, I suddenly realized that there was something about me that was different from others. Because of the short, good grades are not confident.
Now, doctor, I really want to grow taller!
After a thorough examination, the boy was diagnosed with partial growth hormone deficiency, and although he was relatively old, his bone age was small enough that pharmacological intervention could still be attempted.
The boy’s parents had concerns at first, fearing that the medication would have an adverse effect on their child’s body. It took many exchanges and inquiries to allay the concerns.
Growth hormone is a protein structure composed of 191 amino acids, and its main physiological role is to produce a synthesis-promoting effect on various tissues of the body, stimulate the growth of bone joints and epiphyseal cartilage, enhance the uptake and utilization of important elements such as sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphorus, as well as accelerate lipolysis, and have an impact on intermediate and energy metabolism with fewer adverse effects.
Growth hormone deficiency, on the other hand, refers to insufficient secretion of growth hormone by the pituitary gland, which affects normal growth. The only way to get the most effective absorption is to supplement it by subcutaneous injection. It is useful for children who are short due to growth hormone deficiency or early puberty to improve their adult lifetime height.
Growth hormone is only effective when used before epiphyseal closure, so parents should pay close attention to their children’s growth and development, and should consult and seek medical advice as soon as possible to intervene in a timely manner if they find that their height is lagging behind.
After the family consultation, the boy started medication. I specifically advised him to pay attention to his daily diet and exercise, to live regularly and, more importantly, to adjust his mind and enjoy life.
Two months later
his height increased by 3 cm.
One year later
He grew 10 cm taller ……
Three years later, the miracle blessed him
Three years later, this year, the boy’s height had reached 179 cm, and he was admitted to the university of his choice with excellent results in the college entrance examination in June. His parents were full of joy, and the boy could not contain his pride and anticipation.
After growing taller, the whole person is confident, and I feel that my classmates look at me differently. I will walk into campus with my head held high and continue to work hard to be a good person in this strange and new environment.
I am also happy for the family when I see them enjoying themselves.
There is a saying that a curve is more beautiful than a straight line because it is full of twists and turns, has a flowing rhythm, and can lead the eye to an endless pursuit, thus causing multiple thoughts. The path of the pursuit of height is exactly a curve. Neither parents nor children should be afraid to have problems in the process of growth. Only by checking, intervening, and adjusting when problems are identified is it possible to achieve satisfactory improvement.