While most parents would be happy to see their children growing fast, they should be alert to unusual growth spurts that could be indicative of other medical conditions, a Taipei doctor said.
Chinese Medical University Children’s Hospital doctor Hsieh Hsiu-ying (謝秀盈) said that two years ago, a boy underwent a sudden growth spurt at the age of nine, standing about half a head taller than other boys his age.
The boy also went into puberty and grew at levels consistent with those of a 13-year-old.
The family consulted a doctor, who discovered a malignant brain tumor that was stimulating the boy’s pituitary gland and causing premature development, Hsieh said.
After administering injections and radiation therapy, doctors were able to get his growth under control, Hsieh said.
“This boy had quite a small frame to begin with. Two years ago he developed a hearty appetite and started developing rapidly. The father, feeling something was wrong, brought the boy to a doctor. At the time the boy had already grown to 142.6cm in height, well beyond the 135cm average for his age. His sexual maturity had reached stage 3 of the five stages of development, and his hormone levels went through the roof,” Hsieh said.
Further tests revealed a 1.5cm tumor stimulating the nearby pituitary gland, resulting in rapid growth because of the excessive release of hormones. The tumor was also putting pressure on the optic nerve and affecting vision in his left eye.
After four months of radiation therapy and injections to control hormone release, no sign of the tumor remained, Hsieh said.
Doctors said that although they were able to eradicate the tumor, about six months ago, the boy showed signs of slow growth and was given hormone supplements to compensate.
Now 11, he has grown to a height of 152.5cm, which doctors say is normal for his age.
“Early puberty is occurring at a higher rate. In 10 percent of observed cases this is due to tumors in the brain or sexual organs that cause an excessive release of hormones. The other 90 percent of cases are the result of dietary issues, such as overconsumption of fast food,” Hsieh said.
She added that the normal age of puberty is between nine and 14 years old for boys, and between eight and 13 years old for girls.
If development begins too soon it will also end earlier, which could lead to a child being shorter than average, Hsieh said.
Doctors advise parents to consult a doctor if they notice their child growing more than 6cm in a year.
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