What Does Less Height In Children With History Of Hip Dysplasia Indicate?

Posted on Fri, 27 Mar 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 27 Mar 2015 Answered on

Tue, 14 Apr 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : HI,

My son age is 2yrs 6months. his height is 68cm and weight 28lb(13kg)

mother height is 5ft and father height is 5ft 8inches.

i feel my son is shorter.. do need to concern? any care i need to take?

Thanks...

Answered by Dr. Praveen (15 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Height is determined by the parental genes

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear.Thanks for your query.

This is one of the important questions that I often get from most of my clients and this is absolutely valid.

Height of our children is determined by genes inherited from their parents.This happens randomly at birth and the child's height depends on whether the father or mother is contributing to most of his genes.As in your case, as a mother if your genes have been inherited more then his height shall be below the normal height (85-90cm for his age) which is attained at that age most of his peers.

I would want you to acknowledge whether your kid is able to do most of below said activities-
Pedal a tricycle.
Walk up and down stairs alternating feet
Complete sentences and rhymes/says sentences with 2 to 4 words
Follows simple instruction
Repeats words overheard in a conversation
Kicks a ball
Begins to run

If yes, then there is absolutely no need to panic since he has attained milestones as per his age.He shall gradually attain maximum height as he grow-up since there will be spurt in the growth hormones which is a natural phenomenon.

Hope this answers your query.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Praveen (7 hours later)

Thanks for your reply.
My son was operated for hip displasia at the age of 16 months.his left hip is operated.. (he was in casting for 4 months full time,and braces for nap time..)
Now his hip is doing good.there is no hip displasia.
He is walking and running but taking the steps he will not use alternate legs.he does with his right leg. also while jumping he will use his right leg.... His orthopedic surgeon told it will take little more time.it's a developmental thing,when he wants to use both legs it,then he will use..
Also we r giving speech therapy here in USA. He talking almost all words but he will say either first letters or last letters.. For example car-ca, bus-ba, banana-nana,bobble-babu,sarigamapadanisa etc..
Otherthan that he is very good in everything like cicking the boll,dealing,identifying objects in books,playing with other kids and eatin, sleeping
Now pls tell me Do I need to really concern about his height ?
Pls tell me,will there be any link between hip displasia and height? Although his hip is doing good n no issues after surgery but I am little worried about his left leg usage and height?

Answered by Dr. Praveen (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Discuss with your doctor if the usage is decreasing

Detailed Answer:
Hi again.Deeply regret for the delay.

I am thankful for sharing the detailed information.
Do you have any one in your family who is short?Short stature is mostly familial and inherited.
Hip dysplasia per se doesnot affect his height.As you rightly said less usage of left leg will result in disproportionate length of his limbs.
Is your child dragging his left leg while walking?If the usage of left leg is gradually improving over time then there is no need to worry.
If his left leg usage is decreasing day by day then I were to recommend to discuss with orthopedician without further delay.

Hope this answers your query.

Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar