Paediatric endocrinologist warns that rapid height increases in children are often normal puberty-related growth, cautioning parents against attributing unexpected gains to supplements without medical advice.
Many parents worry when their child seems shorter than classmates, but a paediatric endocrinologist says a sudden gain in height is often just the normal pace of puberty rather than proof that a supplement is working.
Li Ru-hao, a children’s hormone specialist, said on his Facebook page that some parents have told him their child grew 25 centimetres in three years after taking a health product. He argued that, for a boy in the middle of a pubertal growth spurt, that pattern can fall well within expected development. In his view, the growth belongs to puberty, not the product.
That matches medical guidance from Johns Hopkins Medicine, which says girls usually begin their growth spurt about six to 12 months before their first period, while boys tend to peak later and can grow about nine centimetres a year at the fastest stage. The Cleveland Clinic says growth spurts can happen more than once over a couple of years and are a natural part of development that cannot be prevented. The Merck Manual adds that boys commonly have their peak growth between the ages of 13 and 14, with more than 10 centimetres possible in the year of fastest growth.
Li told parents to remember that girls in their growth spurt may grow about seven to 10 centimetres a year, while boys may gain about eight to 12 centimetres. He said boys often grow fastest around the time their voice begins to change. His broader message was that questions about height should be handled by medical professionals, who can judge each child’s growth pattern and decide whether lifestyle changes or treatment are needed.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
