Should growth hormone be checked for babies with short height during physical examination

Whether it is necessary to check for growth hormone during a baby's physical examination if their height is too short usually requires a comprehensive evaluation based on their growth curve, parents' height, and developmental rate.

Growth hormone deficiency is one of the pathological factors leading to short stature, but in most cases it is related to genetic, nutritional, or constitutional developmental delays. If the baby's height is below the third percentile of children of the same age and gender, or if the annual growth is less than 4 centimeters, growth hormone levels may need to be tested. Before testing, factors such as hypothyroidism and chronic diseases should be excluded, and growth potential should be evaluated through bone age assessment. The growth hormone stimulation test is the gold standard for diagnosis, but it is an invasive examination and is usually not the preferred screening item. For non pathological short stature, ensuring a daily intake of 500 milliliters of dairy products, moderate amounts of meat, and outdoor exercise are more conducive to natural growth.

It is recommended to regularly monitor growth rate, record sleep time and dietary structure. If there is slow growth in height for six consecutive months or accompanied by symptoms such as decreased appetite and abnormal intellectual development, it is necessary to seek medical attention promptly at the pediatric endocrinology department. Pay attention to supplementing vitamin D in daily life, avoid excessive intake of high sugar and high salt snacks, and ensure at least 9 hours of sleep per night. These measures can help optimize the peak secretion of growth hormone at night.