My 12 year old daughter's growth plates stopped growing yet, she has not gotten her period yet. She has gone thru everything else with puberty but, not her menstrual cycle. Her bone age is 14 1/2. This was diagnosed by her Orthopaedic Surgeon (previous broken leg) and I am making appointment with pediatrician. Has anyone had experience with growth plates and bone age?
Thank you!
A bone age test is a simple xray taken of the hand. My son had that done last year. Not sure what growth plates are.
I didn't get my period until I was 16. I was very active with sports and such. Everything ended up fine. Just a few less years of cramps on my end! Good luck.
Find a gynecologist who specializes in Adolescent and gynoendocrinilogy. 12 is early to worry, but if you are concerned this specialty would be the one to go to.
I was 2 months shy of my 17th bday when I got my first period. Like someone else said a few less years of cramps for me. The only thing I was told about getting my period so late is that I may start menopause earlier than most women. I'm almost 38 now, I have 3 kids so now I'm thinking I'm sick of cramps!!!! Don't worry I'm sure she'll be fine.
I got my period a month before I turned 16 - in health class they had told us if we didn't menstruate by the time we were 16, we might need to go to the gynecologist and get checked out.
I know girls are reaching puberty earlier and earlier (I blame the chicken - LOL). I would ask your gyno at your next appointment at what age you should be worried about her, I personally think 12 is too early to worry. Also, I don't think bone age and menstruation have anything to do with each other. A lot of girls grow early and then stop growing by 12 or 13. The other signs of puberty, breast development and pubic hair, may be more telling, but I'm not sure they really coincide with an immediate start to menstruation, every body is different. Talk to your gyno or her dr to find out at what age additional tests may be warranted. They may do them right away to make you feel better, hopefully they'll tell you an age (i.e. 16) where they would be concerned.
At the suggestion of our pediatrician, I take my son to and endocronologist due to delayed growth. He is 11 and could pass for an 8-9 year old as far as size goes. His bone age is of a 9.5 year old, so he will have almost 2 yrs more of growing past the 'normal' age of 14.
I am no expert, but what I have found out is that puberty and bone age are linked, however there is a very strong genetic link too. My husbands final growth spurt was his junior year in HS and couldn't grow a mustache until his college days. I was also a 'late bloomer', didn't get my 12 yo molars until I was 14 and my first period until just before 15 (the school nurse says anything from age 9-eek to age 18 is normal)
As for bone age, puberty and growth the endocronologists are a pretty narrow minded group in that they do not trust the diagnosis of non-endo drs. They take the bone age (xray of left wrist) plus family history and a full blood work up (including human growth hormore levels) to determine what is 'normal' for your child.
Again, I am not an expert but if you feel there is something wrong start with your pediatrician and your gyno.
Good luck, I am sure all is well and 'normal'
MK
