11 Year old son in 21st Percentile for Height- Dropped from 50th?

Question

My son, who is now 11 years old was always around the 50th percentile for height up unitl the age of 8. Then slowly he has dropped to the point where he is at the 21st percentile. Our doctors have never commented but the pattern is obvious.

My father said he was always tiny until he was 15 and then grew rapidly (6ft - adult height).

Most internet articles about Constituional Growth Dealy suggest that the growth delay happens before 3 years of age. So this does not fit that description.

Should I be concerned. We have annual well check up . Shoudl I insist on getting him checked out. - bone x-ray?

I am 5ft 7 and his father is 6ft. His siblings - girls age 7 and 4 are 75th and 70th percentile respectively for height.

Answer 1

um... unless height perentiles are different from intelligence percentiles, 21st is better than 50th...

which mean's he's getting taller. thats normal.

Answer 2

I wouldn't be concerned.  I have a middle schooler (girl) and most of the boys are short and small.  I've mistaken 8th graders for 6th graders many times.  And I remember when I was a kid it wasn't until highschool when our friends that were boys really starting to grow taller and more muscular.  Has his weight pretty much stayed the same?  If so, I would think it would be fine.  Is he active, does he do sports and eat right?  If so, don't worry.

Answer 3

No at 11 a lot of boys are short - he will get a growth spurt soon.

I would not be too concerned about this until he is at least 13 - then if he has continued to lag behind in height you should discuss it with the doctor.

Answer 4

I'm 22 years old and when I was 11, I was only 5'2, and stayed like that until I was 15, then I grew to 5'6, and when I was 17, I grew to 5'11, and stayed like that. So give that boy some time.

Answer 5

He's still eleven. When I was eleven I was towering over all the boys in my class (though I was a bit tall for my age). My point is:

At the age of eleven boys are usually very tiny, they'll get their growth spurt at around 13/14 and suddenly you'll be feeling like a midget around boys.

He may also have a growth disorder if he's unusually short for his age, in that case you could contact your doctor and get hormone pills prescribed.

Answer 6

Why do you care?  And why do you even know what a height percentile is.

Let it go, let your kids grow up.  All you have to do is love them regardless of their height

Answer 7

At 11 I would not worry about it. He could just be going thru his growth spurt late. He should soon catch up with the other kids. But if you have a problem with it talk to the doctor when your son is not around. Otherwise you risk making your son feel awkward and like he doesn't fit in.

Answer 8

If he is healthy why are you so concerned about his height?  Your worrying is going to make him very self conscience about something he has no control over.

The only way to know is x-rays of his growth plates.

Answer 9

First, growth charts are just a baseline.. not a measure of good health.  All kids grow at a different rate. If you are concened though, talk to his doctor at his check up and see if he/she is concerned.  My brothers (both well over 6' tall as adults) were short until 10-11 years and shot up.. completely healthy.  Good luck!

Answer 10

Going by my sons percentile at the age of three he was going to be at least 6ft but he to slowed and stopped at 5 ft 10 so he almot made it. Boys grow at different rates one of my nephews was very short right up to about 16 then he grew to 6 ft 4 in less than two years so I would not worry two much he should grow between 12 and 17. Just because there is height in the family doesn't mean they are going to be tall.  He will be as tall as he is going to be. My dad was over 6ft and Iam only 5ft 3 that my mums fault she is only 5ft 1 yet my 4 brothers are all taller than 5 ft 9. Don't take the pencentile to much for granted he will grow.