Question
Is a child who is less than 120 centimeters tall at the age of 9 considered to have dwarfism?
Answer
A child’s short stature may be related to insufficient growth hormone or genetic factors. It is recommended to undergo tests for growth hormone and epiphyseal lines to understand the secretion status of growth hormone. Growth hormone is a protein hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, which affects body growth and development. Normally, growth hormone is secreted in pulse-like fashion, regulated by the secretion of growth hormone-releasing hormone from the hypothalamus, and influenced by gender, age, and circadian rhythms. The secretion increases during sleep. The main function of growth hormone is to promote body growth, including the development of bones, muscles, and tissues.