Helping families understand short stature, growth delays, and expert care options
By Dr. Toni Kim, MD & Dr. Kelli Davis, MD | Life Pediatric Endocrinology
Parents naturally worry when their child isn’t growing like peers. While children’s height varies significantly, growth delays are harder to spot than weight changes. A child might look healthy even if their growth velocity is below normal — meaning valuable time for intervention can be missed.
That’s where a pediatric endocrinologistplays a critical role: diagnosing, treating, and guiding families through growth-related challenges.
AtLife Pediatric Endocrinology (LIFE), we combine 20+ years of global expertise with a unique integrative endocrinology approach — blending advanced diagnostics, medical therapies, and lifestyle strategies to optimize every child’s growth journey.
What Is Short Stature?
Short stature refers to a child who is growing significantly below their expected path on a standardized growth chart.
Most children grow about 2 inches (5 cm) per yearbetween ages 5 and puberty.
When a child’s growth velocity slows below this rate, it may indicate a hormonal or metabolic problem.
During puberty, growth accelerates. Some children “catch up” later, while others fall further behind.
For many children, differences in height can affect not only physical health but also self-confidence, social comfort, and emotional well-being. That’s why growth should be tracked as carefully as weight and development milestones.
What Can Cause Short Stature?
When evaluating short stature, pediatric endocrinologists consider multiple factors:
Genetics → Children with shorter parents may naturally fall below average height (mid-parental height is a predictor).
Constitutional Growth Delay (“late bloomers”) → Some children experience puberty later, then catch up.
Medical conditions→ Heart disease, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease, thyroid disorders, or bone disorders can limit growth.
Genetic syndromes→ Conditions like Turner syndrome or skeletal dysplasias.
Environmental disruptors → Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (lavender oil, tea tree oil, plastics) may also interfere with growth and puberty timing.
How Is Short Stature Evaluated and Treated?
A pediatric endocrinology visitincludes a thorough assessment to uncover why growth is delayed. This may involve:
Growth charts & history → Tracking patterns over time.
Bone age X-ray → Evaluating maturity of growth plates.
Puberty assessment → Identifying early or delayed onset.
Treatment depends on the cause. Some children need only reassurance and monitoring; others may benefit from:
Growth hormone therapy (daily or long-acting options)
Aromatase inhibitors to extend growth potential before plates close
Thyroid or other hormone replacement therapies
Nutrition & lifestyle strategies to maximize bone health and natural growth
At LIFE, evaluations are never rushed. We take the time to explain results, answer questions, and partner with families for the long term.
Specialized Testing and Diagnostics
At LIFE, we don’t stop at the basics. Beyond standard growth hormone and thyroid testing, our team takes amore advanced, integrative approach. We evaluate factors that are often overlooked in conventional care, combining medical science with a deeper understanding of how the body grows.
This means families can feel confident that no stone is left unturned and that their child’s growth plan is built on the most complete picture possible.
Personalized Growth Plans
Every child’s treatment plan at LIFE is individualized. Our providers:
Predict final adult height with growth modeling
Tailor medical interventions with precision timing
Integrate nutrition, sleep, and exercise coaching
Support confidence and mental well-being alongside physical growth
The Integrative Endocrinology Difference
Traditional endocrinology often stops at lab work. At LIFE, we add layers that families care about:
Nutrition optimization
Sleep hygiene to maximize growth hormone release
Holistic bone health with vitamin D, calcium, and weight-bearing exercise
Parent education so families feel empowered, not overwhelmed
Meet Our Growth Specialists
Dr. Toni Kim, MD – International Leader in Pediatric Growth & Puberty
For over 20 years, Dr. Kim has been a pioneer in pediatric endocrinology, with families traveling from across the U.S. and abroad for her expertise in navigating growth and puberty disorders. She currently cares for patients from coast to coast — with practices in Atlanta, Georgia, and acrossSouthern California (Newport Beach, Beverly Hills, Calabasas), extending north to Atherton and the Bay Area.
A Vanderbilt-trained pediatric endocrinologist, Dr. Davis is nationally recognized for her expertise in bone disease and complex growth disorders. Dr. Kelli Davis is considered a top pediatric endocrinologist in Brentwood, Franklin and Nashville; read more here. Families trust her for her innovative strategiesand long-term focus on healthy growth outcomes. She cares for patients across the Southeast, with practices serving Tennessee (Brentwood, Franklin, Nashville), Georgia, and Alabama.
Q: When should I see a pediatric endocrinologist? We prefer to get a baseline assessment as early as possible to ensure precise tracking of each child's growth and development. However, if your child is shorter than peers, growing less than 2 inches per year, or showing signs of early/delayed puberty, schedule an evaluation.
Q: Can growth plates reopen? No — once fused, they cannot reopen. This makes timing critical in growth treatment.
Q: How long does growth hormone therapy last? It depends on the child, but most plans last several years, with careful monitoring.
Next Steps for Concerned Parents
If you’ve been told to “wait and see” but your instincts say more can be done, don’t delay. Growth windows are time-sensitive — early action can make a measurable difference in final height, health, and confidence.
📞 Schedule a Consultation with our team today to learn where your child stands and what’s possible.
