It depends on the type of growth disorder. Some are genetic, while others may be caused by hormonal disorders or nutritional problems.

Poor growth is often due to the following:

• A shorter build. A child can inherit a short physical makeup from their family.
• Constitutional delay of growth. Some children can be shorter than average due to a delay in bone growth. A child with this issue will reach puberty later than average but will get to full growth potential by the time they're an adult. This can be inherited.

Other causes of growth delay are:

• Illnesses or diseases that affect the whole body
• Malnutrition
• Digestive tract diseases
• Kidney diseases
• Heart disease
• Lung disease
• Diabetes
• Severe stress

Different hormone problems, such as these below, can also cause poor growth.

• Thyroid problems can cause growth problems. Growth hormone deficiency involves an issue with the pituitary gland (a small gland at the base of the brain). This leads to a lack of the hormone necessary for growth.
• Congenital (present at birth) problems happen during pregnancy. A condition called intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) results in a baby smaller in weight and length than normal.
• Cushing’s syndrome, a rare condition, is caused by abnormally high levels of the hormone cortisol.

The evaluation and diagnosis may include:

• Observing your child’s growth over several months, with blood tests to rule out hormonal, chromosomal or other disorders associated with growth failure
• X-ray of the hand bones to determine maturity and growth potential
• Examining the functions of the pituitary gland, which produces and releases growth hormone and other hormones

Your child’s doctor will determine treatment based on:

• Your child’s current health and health history
• The type of growth disorder and its severity
• Your child’s ability to deal with medical procedures and take prescribed medicines
• Your beliefs and desires regarding treatment

Precocious puberty is when a child develops abnormally early puberty. This is identified by the early development of sexual characteristics in girls before the age of 8 and in boys before the age of 9. Most kids with the disorder grow fast at first but finish growing before reaching their full height potential.

The following are the most common symptoms, though each child may experience symptoms differently. Just like normal puberty, symptoms include the onset of secondary sexual characteristics.

Girls:

• Breast development
• Pubic and underarm hair
• Menstruation

Boys:

• Enlarging penis and testicles
• Pubic and underarm hair
• Facial hair
• Acne
• Deepening of the voice

Your child will need a complete medical history and physical. A diagnosis may also require:

• X-ray of the hand
• Measurement of pituitary reproductive hormones and female/male hormones
• Ultrasound of the adrenal glands and ovaries or testes
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Amenorrhea is when a girl’s menstrual bleeding (period) doesn’t occur. There are two types:

• Primary amenorrhea. This is when the first menstrual bleeding at puberty doesn’t occur by age 15.
• Secondary amenorrhea. This is when normal menstrual bleeding stops for three months or more.

It can have many causes, including:

• Ovulation problems: This can cause irregular or missed menstrual periods.
• Thyroid disorder: In many cases, a thyroid gland that’s underactive or overactive can cause missed periods.
• Obesity: Girls that are overweight may have changes in the function of their ovaries. This can cause missed periods.
• Excessive exercise: Some female athletes don’t get menstrual periods because of low amounts of body fat.
• Eating disorder: Girls with anorexia or bulimia may have amenorrhea if their body weight is too low.
• Pituitary abnormalities
• Anatomical defects: These defects result from an issue with how the reproductive system formed before birth.
• Pregnancy: Menstrual periods stop during pregnancy.

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid is underactive and doesn't produce enough thyroid hormones. This condition is the most common thyroid disorder. Hypothyroidism in newborns, when left untreated, can lead to an intellectual disability and slow growth.

Congenital hypothyroidism means the disorder is present at birth. This is one of the most common preventable causes of an intellectual disability. Children in the U.S. are tested for the disorder as newborns. Approximately one out of every 6,000 to 7,000 newborns is diagnosed each year.

The most common cause of hypothyroidism is the body’s autoimmune reaction to itself. The body produces antibodies against the thyroid gland causing it to decrease production.

Your child’s doctor will determine a diagnosis by reviewing your child’s medical history, as well as through physical exam and blood tests.

Hypothyroidism is treated with the prescription of synthetic thyroid hormone to replace the deficient hormones.