The Height Of It All

There are various misconceptions about the growth and height of children. Kayal Arivalan gets an expert to debunk the myths

ne of the main concerns for young parents is the height of their growing child. While some children are taller than others at a younger age, others are slower to get there. According to studies, a person's DNA is a genetic blueprint that contains his or her maximum height potential. In addition to environmental and economic factors, foetal development throughout pregnancy and the birth weight might also have a significant effect in determining a child's height potential. This is because a child's nutrition throughout their formative years has a significant impact on their adult height. "Sleep also influences a child's height," reveals Dr Jesal Sheth, Senior ConsultantPaediatrician, Fortis Hospital, Mulund.