X Takeover for Children’s Growth Awareness Week 2023: Professor Helen L Storr and Professor Justin Davies
Hello this is Justin @unisouthhampton & Helen @QMUL, Professors in Paediatric Endocrinology & Medical Advisors of the CGF.
— Child Growth Foundation (@ChildGrowthUK) September 18, 2023
We are excited to be taking over the CGF X account for the next hour. Our mission is to improve the recognition & awareness of childhood growth disorders. pic.twitter.com/hv3VJ93VJH
Work from our group shows that short stature is common, affecting about 2% children in England.
— Child Growth Foundation (@ChildGrowthUK) September 18, 2023
Surprisingly, it was found to be more frequent in areas with higher levels of deprivation - @hlstorr1 @JustinHDavieshttps://t.co/Mz9mYvJx5W #ChildrensGrowthAwarenessWeek pic.twitter.com/68tZtX0hmB
We’d like to share some information with you about the importance of accurate height assessment in children - @hlstorr1 @JustinHDavies #ChildrensGrowthAwarenessWeek pic.twitter.com/hyRKTWkHSk
— Child Growth Foundation (@ChildGrowthUK) September 18, 2023
A child’s height is mostly determined by the genes inherited from their parents.
— Child Growth Foundation (@ChildGrowthUK) September 18, 2023
Nutrition, hormones and the environment are very important too.
This means that we can use a child’s height to assess their general health and wellbeing - @hlstorr1 @JustinHDavies #ChildGrowth pic.twitter.com/irrNgT3Nsj
Although many short children are healthy, underlying medical problems need to be picked up early to give the best opportunity for treatment - @hlstorr1 @JustinHDavies #ChildrensGrowthAwarenessWeek
— Child Growth Foundation (@ChildGrowthUK) September 18, 2023
Short stature might indicate an underlying medical problem that requires assessment and/or treatment. Height screening can pick up these problems. When are children measured in the UK? - @hlstorr1 @JustinHDavies #ChildrensGrowthAwarenessWeek pic.twitter.com/vVBIHWwYOu
— Child Growth Foundation (@ChildGrowthUK) September 18, 2023
Your child’s height should be measured in the UK as part of the Healthy Child Programme at 2-2.5 years - @hlstorr1 @JustinHDavies #ChildrensGrowthAwarenessWeek https://t.co/vRNeDoMTJf
— Child Growth Foundation (@ChildGrowthUK) September 18, 2023
And also at school entry as part of the UK National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) https://t.co/XUFKfwHjMC
— Child Growth Foundation (@ChildGrowthUK) September 18, 2023
- @hlstorr1 @JustinHDavies#ChildrensGrowthAwarenessWeek pic.twitter.com/kj7ftIywaj
Every child should have a height assessment at every hospital appointment. In health centres or hospitals, height is accurately assessed using specialist measuring equipment - @hlstorr1 @JustinHDavies#ChildrensGrowthAwarenessWeek
— Child Growth Foundation (@ChildGrowthUK) September 18, 2023
https://t.co/gEH1xDufSM
Studies have shown that some children with short stature who should be referred and assessed are not.
— Child Growth Foundation (@ChildGrowthUK) September 18, 2023
This is especially the case for girls and children from some ethnic minority groups - @hlstorr1 @JustinHDavies#ChildrensGrowthAwarenessWeek https://t.co/zt2awngPdP
Our advice is - if you are worried about your child’s height, don’t delay in getting it assessed by your family doctor.
— Child Growth Foundation (@ChildGrowthUK) September 18, 2023
This is particularly important in children who are often overlooked - @hlstorr1 @JustinHDavies #ChildrensGrowthAwarenessWeek
Thanks so much to the Child Growth Foundation for allowing us to take over their X account, we have loved sharing this information with you for #ChildrensGrowthAwarenessWeek.
— Child Growth Foundation (@ChildGrowthUK) September 18, 2023
For more information visit the Child Growth Foundation website https://t.co/nM7ymNy9Dl.
-Helen & Justin
