Growth of children

Children are always growing and that sometimes causes specific problems, notably growing pains. 

Some children suffer from growing pains with dragging pain as early as 4 to 10 years of age. The attacks usually begin in the evening when the child should be sleeping. Interestingly children grow the most while they are sleeping because that is when the release of growth hormones is greatest.

Children tend to feel diffuse, dragging pain. Mostly the legs are affected, sometimes the knees. It is typical for these complaints, often described as dragging pain, to occur in the evening or shortly before falling asleep, only to disappear by the following morning. 

The joints on the other hand are not painful. This phase lasts about two weeks. Then things normalise again for six months. The child’s mobility and sports activities are generally not restricted.

Generally this pain does not occur every night but around twice a week.

In case of growing pains, bone formation and growth as well as the development of tendons, ligaments and muscles should be supported, beginning in the toddler stage.

Typical for growing pains:

• The complaints do not occur during physical activity, but only at rest.
• They are frequently troublesome in the evening and at night, after children were active during the day.
• The night-time complaints disappear by morning.
• The pain mainly affects the long bones. Pain is felt in the area of the knee, along the lower leg, on the shin, calf and ankle.
• It does not always occur in the same place, sometimes on the left or right, sometimes both.
• The painful areas are not reddish or swollen.
• There is no chronic pain, but always phases that are entirely pain-free.
• Laboratory tests are negative.

Around the age of 10, the hormone system also gets involved with the onset of puberty.
Sex hormones are produced and the thyroid gland may need support as well. This should be discussed with your doctor. All of these processes demand a supply of energy and powers of regeneration. Children may be sluggish and tired during this time.

Girls have their first menstruation and female curves soon become apparent. The entire metabolism is transformed and some girls respond with fainting spells or an increased need for rest.

In boys, the voice starts to break and facial hair begins to sprout. The figure changes. Many who look like young men on the outside are still insecure boys on the inside, grappling with themselves and the world. Adolescents may experience mood swings, feel offended more easily and lose their equilibrium more quickly. We are all familiar with these difficult times for adolescents and parents.

The use of deodorant increases as perspiration often starts to smell unpleasant. Pimples erupt on the face, greasy skin and hair result in a need for more frequent washing.

Adolescents who are active in sports usually complain of limb and bone pain on the heels and knee joints and become more prone to injury, spontaneous fractures or simply joint pain that can be precisely localised.

Some adolescents grow tremendously in length over a relatively short time. Growing pain also occurs in case of delayed growth. Puberty begins somewhat later in those affected, but then they catch up and reach their normal adult size.