Child height prediction

Sometimes back, I read an article about height prediction for the son or daughter of basketball player Yao Ming and his wife We Li. Note that both are 2.26 m and 1.90 m, respectively. Based on the formula given, e.g. for daughter’s estimated height = (father’s height x 0.923 + mother’s height)/2 produces 1.992 m, whereas for a son’s estimated height = (father’s height + mother’s height) x 1.08/2 produces 2.246 m. The average height of a man is 1.74 m.

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The above calculation is easier than the online version where you have to convert meter or centimetre to foot. In addition, you will have to input the child’s age and weight (in kg or pound). Fortunately, Google can help with the conversion, e.g. typing “180 cm to foot” will produce 5.9 foot.

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Online height predictor

• BabyCenter height predictor. You will have to produce child’s current age, height (in inches), weight (in pound), and parents’ height. The minimal age of child is 2 yo.

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Sometimes, abnormal growth (gigantism) could be due to benign (or malignant) tumour to the pituitary gland, in which case, there is an over-production of the growth hormone. However, the reverse is true for under-development (hypoplasia) of pituitary gland in which lesser amount of the growth hormone is produced, and thus causes dwarfism. Read more about the treatment for dwarfism (MayoClinic). Growth hormone therapy can be expensive and it is required daily for several years until the targeted height is achieved.

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An example of synthetic growth hormone therapy is Protropin from Genentech. Yearly treatment cost is estimated at USD 20,000 to USD 40,000 or more (as quoted in NYTimes dated 1994). There are other drugs out there nowadays, e.g. Nutropin by Genentech. It is best to consult paediatrician/doctors.