Question
Doctor, what should be done if a five-year-old girl is short in stature?
Answer
Firstly, it is necessary to confirm whether the child’s short stature is due to family genetics. Some children may be shorter due to their parents’ genes, with this situation occurring in more than 70% of cases. If the short stature is caused by a lack of growth hormones, the child should undergo relevant tests at a pediatric endocrinology department. If the level of growth hormones is low, timely growth hormone replacement therapy should be initiated to stimulate the child’s height growth. Additionally, if malnutrition is the cause, such as zinc deficiency, it may lead to loss of appetite, poor digestion and absorption, and short stature. Treatment can be provided through zinc supplementation and regulating the spleen and stomach functions.