Hormones regulate a child’s growth, metabolism and puberty. Detecting endocrine disorders early can prevent serious problems later.
What parents should watch for
- Diabetes: excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss and tiredness.
- Thyroid: unusual sluggishness or restlessness, neck swelling, slowed growth.
- Puberty: starting very early (before age 8 in girls, 9 in boys) or very late.
- Growth: markedly slow growth compared with peers.
These signs appear slowly and can be easy to miss, so tracking the growth curve and an annual check-up matter.