How much taller does a child need to grow each year to meet the standard?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted with Master, Doctor Nguyen Minh Tuan - Pediatrician - Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Da Nang International Hospital

The growth and development of a child's height takes place continuously from the fetal stage until puberty. However, not every stage of the child's height also increases, sometimes it increases quickly, sometimes it slows down. Therefore, understanding the milestones of the child's height development will help parents know how to properly care for their children so that their children have an ideal height.

1. Fetal development stage

The first milestone in the development of a child's height that parents rarely pay attention to is the stage right from the womb. At this time, the development of the child depends entirely on the mother's nutrition. Therefore, when pregnant, the mother needs to be provided with the best nutrition for the child to develop a favorable height.
Starting from the 4th month of pregnancy, the baby's skeletal system is formed and developed rapidly. At this time, children need to be provided with adequate nutrients, especially calcium, for bone development. Pregnant women need to eat more calcium-rich foods to meet the body's necessary calcium needs and help children reach their maximum height, creating a premise for children to grow taller in the future. Pregnant women need to have a balanced diet, good spirit and reasonable rest. The weight can increase from 10-12kg, then the baby will be born with a standard height > 50cm as recommended by the Ministry of Health. .

2. Development stage from 0-2 years old

The period from 0-2 years old is calculated from the time the baby is born until the baby is 2 years old. If this period is well-nourished, children can increase their height from 25cm in the first 12 months and 10cm/year in the next year. Therefore, in the first 2 years of life, a baby can grow up to 35 cm in height. The height of the child at this stage will be 1⁄2 of the adult height. Therefore, to achieve the ideal height, parents need to supplement with adequate nutrition and take proper care of their children's health such as:
Nutrition: Children should be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life as recommended. of the World Health Organization. Because breast milk is a source of food containing adequate nutrients to help children develop comprehensively, while strengthening the immune system and preventing gastrointestinal diseases. After 6 months, when the child turns to weaning, parents need to pay attention to adding foods to help develop the child's height. Health care: Give children adequate and scheduled vaccinations to prevent the risk of disease, reduce the risk of rickets, malnutrition, weight loss, anorexia,... At the same time, supplement with calcium and Vitamin D to support the development of bones and joints. Letting children sleep on time, enough sleep is also one of the factors affecting the height development of children.

3. Puberty stage

Puberty is the golden period of children's height development and this is also the last opportunity to promote growth for children. Puberty will be different between boys and girls. For girls it is 10-16 years old, for boys it is 12-18 years old. During this period, girls can increase their height by about 8cm/year and boys by 10cm/year.
This is considered the final stage for children to grow in height, until the age of 20 most of the height will stop growing, because the cartilage tissue at puberty will no longer be able to stretch. However, at this stage, parents rarely pay attention to their children because they think that the children have grown up and can take care of themselves with appropriate nutrition. Therefore, in order to achieve the ideal height when entering adulthood, in addition to a suitable diet full of calcium, vitamin D, chondroitin sulfate, DHA, folic acid, ..., it is necessary to have an exercise regimen. suitable. Exercise and sports account for 20% of a child's height growth. Depending on the child's ability and interests, parents should create good conditions for their children to participate in some sports that are good for the child's height development such as swimming, badminton, volleyball, basketball, skipping rope. , swinging bars, cycling,...
Besides, during puberty, the adequate production of growth hormone is essential for children to grow taller during puberty. However, growth hormone is secreted most when the baby sleeps deeply at night. So, remind your children to go to bed before 10pm to ensure good health as well as maximize height development.
Especially parents should also note, today the situation of early puberty in children is growing more and more, this is also one of the reasons why the increase in height of children is affected and tends to slow down. If your child has an early puberty.

In short, children develop height right from the womb and the outstanding height development milestones are from 0-2 years old and puberty. Therefore, in order to help children develop to their maximum height, during the golden period, parents need to supplement with proper nutrition and appropriate exercise regime for their children.
If in the case of applying lifestyle and nutrition, the child's height cannot be improved, parents should take the child to specialized medical facilities Endocrinology - Pediatrics for examination and treatment support. when needed.
Currently, at Vinmec International General Hospital, there is a team of Endocrinologists - Pediatricians with many years of experience in examination and treatment who will give the best advice and treatment regimen, ensuring health. comprehensive for baby.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Note: This article is part of the Vinmec International General Hospital System's Awareness Program on Growth Retardation, with the support of Novo Nordisk