--- title: When Do Growth Plates Close? description: When do growth plates close? Learn signs they’re still open, timing for boys and girls, and why it matters from a pediatric endocrinology expert. image: https://lifeendo.com/hubfs/when-do-growth-plates-close-open-vs-closed-bone-age-xray.png --- [![LIFE\_Pediatric\_CBP\_white](https://lifeendo.com/hs-fs/hubfs/LIFE_Pediatric_CBP_white.png?width=477&height=111&name=LIFE_Pediatric_CBP_white.png "LIFE_Pediatric_CBP_white")](https://lifeendo.com/) [![LIFE\_Pediatric\_CBP\_full\_color.](https://lifeendo.com/hs-fs/hubfs/LIFE_Pediatric_CBP_full_color..png?width=477&height=111&name=LIFE_Pediatric_CBP_full_color..png "LIFE_Pediatric_CBP_full_color.")](https://lifeendo.com/) - [About](https://lifeendo.com/about) - [Meet Your Providers](https://lifeendo.com/about) - [Locations](https://lifeendo.com/locations) - [FAQ](https://lifeendo.com/faq) - Services ### General Endocrine Care - - Early Puberty - Poor Growth - Thyroid Problems - - Type 1 Diabetes - Adrenal insufficiency - Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Medical Weight Loss [Visit The Store](https://lifeendo.com/redirecting-to-supplement-store) - [Blog](https://lifeendo.com/blog) - [Patients](https://lifeendo.com/patients) - [Store](https://lifeendo.com/redirecting-to-supplement-store) [Inquire Here](https://lifeendo.com/contact-weight-loss) [Inquire Here](https://lifeendo.com/contact) - [About](https://lifeendo.com/about) - [Locations](https://lifeendo.com/locations) - [Medical Weight Loss](https://lifeendo.com/medical-weight-loss) - [FAQ](https://lifeendo.com/faq) - [Blog](https://lifeendo.com/blog) - [Patients](https://lifeendo.com/patients) - [Store](https://lifeendo.com/redirecting-to-supplement-store) [Inquire Here](https://lifeendo.com/contact-weight-loss) [Growth](https://lifeendo.com/blog/tag/growth) # When Do Growth Plates Close? [![Dr. Kelli Davis](https://lifeendo.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Kelli%20Davis.png?width=40&height=40&name=Kelli%20Davis.png)](https://lifeendo.com/blog/author/dr-kelli-davis) by [Dr. Kelli Davis](https://lifeendo.com/blog/author/dr-kelli-davis) 3 min read Aug 26, 2025 ## *A Pediatric Endocrinologist Explains How Closure Affects Your Child’s Height* *By [Dr. Kelli Davis, Pediatric Endocrinologist, Life Pediatric Endocrinology](https://lifeendo.com/about-dr-kelli-davis)* If you’ve ever wondered *“when do growth plates close?”* the answer is more important than you might think—especially if you’re tracking your child’s height and growth potential. Growth plates are the “engines” of bone lengthening, and once they fuse, no more height can be added. As a **pediatric endocrinologist** specializing in growth and bone health, I’ll explain when growth plates close in boys and girls, how to tell if they’re still open, and why this timing matters for your child’s final height. --- ## **What Are Growth Plates?** Growth plates—also called **physes**—are soft, developing areas of cartilage located at the ends of your child’s long bones (like the femur, tibia, and radius). They create new bone tissue during childhood and adolescence. - **Open growth plates** mean the bone can still lengthen. - **Closed growth plates** mean that bone has reached its final length. Understanding whether growth plates are open or closed helps guide decisions about height expectations, sports safety, and treatment options. --- ## **When Do Growth Plates Close in Boys and Girls?** Research using [MRI and long-term growth studies](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33047349/) shows that timing depends on hormones, genetics, and overall health: - **Girls** – Most close between **ages 14–16**, often within 1–2 years after the first menstrual period. - **Boys** – Most close between **ages 16–18**, sometimes later if puberty starts late. There’s a wide range of normal, so some children close earlier and others later. Factors like hormone levels, nutrition, and chronic health conditions can shift this timeline. --- ## **How to Tell if Growth Plates Are Closed** The most reliable method is a **bone age test**—an X-ray of the hand and wrist. It compares bone development to age-based standards to predict remaining growth potential. In certain cases, **MRI** can assess specific growth plates, like those in the knee or hip, with even greater detail. --- ## **Why Growth Plate Closure Timing Matters** Knowing when growth plates are closing is critical for: 1. **Height Prediction** – Bone age testing helps estimate your child’s final height. 2. **Treatment Decisions** – Growth-promoting treatments like **growth hormone therapy**, puberty-delaying medications, and [aromatase inhibitors for boys](https://lifeendo.com/blog/anastrozole-letrozole-for-height) work only before plates close. 3. **Sports Safety** – Open plates are more vulnerable to fractures in high-impact sports. --- ## **Factors That Influence Growth Plate Fusion** Studies have identified key influences on growth plate closure: - **Hormones** – Estrogen triggers closure in both boys and girls. - **Genetics** – Family patterns often predict timing. - **Nutrition & Health** – Illness or malnutrition can delay closure; excess hormones can accelerate it. - **Activity & Lifestyle** – Sleep, exercise, and overall wellness support healthy growth. *(References: [Kvist et al., 2021; Kraus et al., 2011; longitudinal growth studies in lower extremity physiology](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21544875/))* --- ## **Can You Keep Growth Plates Open Longer?** In certain medical situations, treatment can slow the pace of growth plate closure—but only when it’s safe and necessary under specialist care. **In boys who are in puberty and projected to finish shorter than their genetic potential, aromatase inhibitors such as anastrozole and letrozole can slow growth plate closure by lowering estrogen.** In pooled studies, boys gained about 1 inch in final height on average, and the best individual results reached nearly 3 inches. This approach is highly individualized and only recommended after a thorough evaluation by a pediatric endocrinologist. **Read our full guide:** [Can Anastrozole or Letrozole Help Your Son Grow Taller?](https://lifeendo.com/blog/anastrozole-letrozole-for-height) We take an **integrative endocrinology** approach at Life Pediatric Endocrinology, combining advanced medical care with nutrition, bone density optimization, and hormone balance strategies to support healthy growth. If you want to learn more about strategies to support open growth plates, see our guide: [How to Keep Growth Plates Open Longer](https://lifeendo.com/blog/how-to-keep-growth-plates-open-an-integrative-endocrinology-approach). --- ## **When to See a Pediatric Endocrinologist** Seek evaluation if your child: - Is shorter or taller than expected for their age - Shows early or delayed puberty signs - Has a slowing growth rate - Needs a **final height prediction** for sports or health planning We’ll assess growth plates with imaging, labs, and a detailed health history to guide your family on next steps. --- ### **The Bottom Line** Growth plates typically close in the mid- to late-teen years, but timing varies for every child. Identifying whether plates are open allows parents and doctors to make timely, informed decisions about height potential and health. If you’re wondering whether your child’s growth plates are still open, our team at **Life Pediatric Endocrinology** is here to help you find out—and to create a personalized plan for your child’s best possible outcome.   **Disclaimer:** This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with questions about your child’s health. #### Share this [Share on X](https://x.com/intent/post?url=https://lifeendo.com/blog/when-do-growth-plates-close&text=When+Do+Growth+Plates+Close%3F) [Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://lifeendo.com/blog/when-do-growth-plates-close&t=When+Do+Growth+Plates+Close%3F) [Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://lifeendo.com/blog/when-do-growth-plates-close&t=When+Do+Growth+Plates+Close%3F) Previous story [← Weekly Growth Hormone Injections: Are They Right for Your Child?](https://lifeendo.com/blog/weekly-growth-hormone-injections-are-they-right-for-your-child) Next story [Nutrition for Children With Insulin Resistance: A Medical Expert Guide →](https://lifeendo.com/blog/nutrition-strategies-for-children-with-insulin-resistance) ### You May Also Like These Related Stories [Does My Child Need Growth Hormone? 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Ages, Growth Spurts & Final Height Oct 12, 2026 7 min read [Anastrozole & Letrozole for Height in Boys: What the Data Shows](https://lifeendo.com/blog/anastrozole-letrozole-for-height) ![Mother marking her teenage son’s height on a doorframe while considering whether anastrozole or letrozole could help him grow taller](https://24027084.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/24027084/hubfs/anastrozole-letrozole-height-boys.png?width=3200&height=1792&name=anastrozole-letrozole-height-boys.png) [Growth](https://lifeendo.com/blog/tag/growth) #### Anastrozole & Letrozole for Height in Boys: What the Data Shows Oct 12, 2026 13 min read ### Get Email Notifications Our care team believes in individualized pediatric endocrine and diabetes care that allows a child to thrive and live fully. Life Pediatric Endocrinology was created for children and their parents to feel secure to live their best life with our specialized, direct access care. 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