Children's hormones control growth, puberty, weight and blood sugar. When something goes wrong, it often shows up as a child who is much shorter than classmates, puberty that starts too early or too late, or sudden thirst and weight loss. Early assessment matters, because some treatments only work while a child is still growing.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes in children. Warning signs are excessive thirst, passing urine often (including new bedwetting), weight loss and tiredness. Care includes starting insulin, teaching parents and the child to adjust doses, using glucose sensors and insulin pumps where suitable, and planning for school, sports and exams.
Go to an emergency department if a child with these symptoms is vomiting, has abdominal pain, is breathing fast, or is unusually drowsy. These can be signs of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Short stature and slow growth
Most short children are healthy and short because of family height or late puberty. A child needs assessment if they are much shorter than others of the same age, are growing less than 4–5 cm a year, or are much shorter than expected from the parents' heights. Read: Is my child too short?
Early or delayed puberty
Puberty starting before 8 years in girls or 9 years in boys is early. No signs of puberty by 13 in girls or 14 in boys is delayed. Both should be checked. Read: Delayed puberty, when to worry.
Gynecomastia in boys
Breast enlargement during puberty is common and usually settles within one to two years. It needs assessment if it is large, persists, appears before puberty, or comes with other changes such as small testes or slow growth.
Childhood obesity and syndromic conditions
Weight gain that starts in the first few years of life, or that comes with developmental delay, unusual features or constant hunger, may have a genetic cause such as Prader-Willi syndrome. Children with Turner syndrome, Down syndrome and other syndromes also need regular hormone checks for growth, thyroid and puberty.
What to bring
- Previous height and weight records (school records help)
- The parents' heights
- All reports and X-rays
Where children are seen
Children are seen by Dr. Prasadh Rao L (MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DM (Endocrinology)) at Dr. PD's Diabetes and Endocrine Speciality Clinic, Maduravoyal (Mon – Sat, 7:30 – 9:30 PM) and at Dr. RK Podiatric Institute, Kolathur (4:00 – 6:30 PM). See all locations or read the doctor's profile.
Book a consultation
Send a WhatsApp message with the patient's name, age and preferred location. You'll get a reply with an appointment time.
Written by Dr. Prasadh Rao L, MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DM (Endocrinology). Assistant Professor of Endocrinology, Madras Medical College. Tamil Nadu Medical Council Reg. No. 96520.
This article is for general information. It is not a diagnosis or a treatment plan. Please don't start, stop or change any medicine without speaking to your doctor.