Factors affecting human linear growth.
- Age
- Sex
- Race.
- Hereditary factors:- Children of two short parents will probably be short and vice versa.
- Endocrinal factors e.g Growth Hormone which is responsible for stimulation of body growth in humans.
- Nutritional factors:- Adequate nutrients must be available for normal growth.
- General health:- Any serious systemic disease in childhood is likely to reduce growth (e.g. chronic kidney disease or chronic infection).
- Intrauterine growth retardation (small birth weight):-These infants often growpoorly in the long term.
- Emotional deprivation and psychological factors:- These can impair growth by complex, poorly understood mechanisms.
- Chromosomal abnormalities.
- Skeletal maturity.
Dr Ibrahim
