Should children use pills to help increase height?

My 6-year-old child is shorter than his peers. Should he use growth hormone pills to increase his height? (Tra My, Ho Chi Minh City)

Reply:

Many parents think that if their children are short and slow to grow, they should supplement their children with height-enhancing pills advertised to contain growth hormone (GH) to help accelerate bone development. This is incorrect.

The ingredients of these pills usually include calcium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, and some essential amino acids. These nutrients are also beneficial for children's development. In fact, hormones in general and growth hormones in particular only work in the body when they are proteins, that is, large protein chains and are synthesized by the body's endocrine glands. Drinking products (even if they contain growth hormones) from the outside into the digestive system breaks down into amino acids, like eating eggs, meat, fish, etc. normally, does not have the effect of increasing height.

Growth hormone treatment (if needed) is usually given by injection (not orally) and requires close monitoring.

If you want to give your child nutritional supplements, you need to consult a medical professional. Using and abusing growth hormone supplements on your own can be dangerous to your child's health and development. For example, excess calcium can cause premature bone ossification, preventing the child from reaching their optimal height in adulthood.

If your child is shorter than his or her peers, you need to take him or her to see a doctor. At Nutrihome, doctors will comprehensively assess the child's nutritional status, measure body composition, measure bone age, test micronutrients, and determine height growth potential... From there, the doctor will advise on measures to improve diet, supplementation, and scientific exercise, ensuring your child develops optimal height.

Master, Doctor Nguyen Anh Duy Tung
Nutrihome Nutrition Clinic System

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