Question
My son will be four years old at the end of this month. He is 97.5cm tall and weighs 14kg. I would like to inquire if such height and weight are normal? His dietary condition is good, with a small bowl of rice for each meal, a glass of milk before bedtime, and he also eats some fruit. He sleeps for about 10 hours a day and rarely gets sick. His father is 170cm tall, and his mother is 158cm tall. I am worried that my son’s growth rate is slower than that of his peers, and he appears shorter than his age group.
Answer
Based on the provided information, your son’s weight is slightly below the average weight for boys of the same age (16.3kg), and his height falls below the average height (103.3cm). His height not reaching the standard may indicate issues such as zinc deficiency, calcium deficiency, or insufficient growth hormone secretion. It is recommended to conduct a trace element test to confirm whether there is a zinc deficiency, and to check bone density and alkaline phosphatase levels to confirm whether there is a calcium deficiency. If deficiencies are found, they should be supplemented promptly. In addition, good sleep quality is crucial for growth and development; it is suggested that the child should try to go to sleep before 9 p.m., and maintain a dark sleep environment. Further examination of growth hormone levels can be conducted as needed.