Delayed bone age is most often associated with a decrease in growth hormone production, also known as GH, but other hormonal conditions can also cause delayed bone age, such as hypothyroidism, Cushing syndrome, and Addison’s disease, for example. .
However, a delayed bone age does not always mean disease or stunting, as children can grow at different rates, as well as tooth loss and the first period. Therefore, if parents have doubts about the child’s speed of development, it is best to seek the advice of a pediatrician.
Late bone age can occur due to several situations, the main being
If there is a delay in the child’s growth or a delay in the onset of puberty, it is important that the child be evaluated by the pediatrician so that tests can be done to identify the cause of bone age delay and thus initiate the most appropriate treatment. .
Bone age is a diagnostic method that can be used to help diagnose changes in growth, which is made when the pediatrician identifies changes in the growth curve, or in cases of stunted growth or puberty, for example. .
Therefore, bone age is checked on the basis of an imaging test performed on the left hand. To perform the titration, it is recommended that the hand be aligned with the wrist and that the thumb is at an angle of 30 degrees with the index finger. An x-ray image is then taken, which is evaluated by the pediatrician and compared to the result of a standard test, and then it is possible to check whether bone age is adequate or delayed.
Treatment of late bone age should be performed at the discretion of the pediatrician or endocrinologist, in most cases it is recommended to apply daily injections of growth hormone, also called GH, these injections may be indicated for a few months or years depending on the situation. Case. Understand how growth hormone treatment is done.
On the other hand, when delayed bone age is related to a situation other than growth hormone, the pediatrician may indicate a more specific treatment.
It is important that treatment for late bone age is started as soon as possible, because the greater the difference between bone age and the child’s age, the greater the chances of reaching near-normal height.