Groeispurten

Groeispurten, or growth spurts, are periods during which a child’s height increases rapidly compared with surrounding times. They are a normal part of development and are driven by hormonal changes that accelerate bone and body growth. In humans there are several spurts: an early infancy spurt, a prepubertal period, and the pubertal growth spurt that occurs during adolescence.

During puberty the most pronounced spurts occur. The timing differs by sex: girls typically begin earlier and reach their peak height velocity earlier than boys, who begin a little later. The peak height velocity usually lasts one to two years, with a higher rate of height gain than in other periods. Signs include rapid changes in height, as well as shifts in clothing and shoe size, and sometimes changes in appetite, sleep patterns, and mood.

Causes are hormonal: growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor drive overall growth, while sex steroids (estrogen and testosterone) contribute to accelerated growth and eventual maturation of bones. Adequate nutrition, sleep, and health support the magnitude of the spurts; chronic illness or extreme undernutrition can alter them.

Monitoring is typically done with growth charts by healthcare providers. Most children experience spurts without problems, but unusually slow or rapid growth, or very early or late puberty, may warrant medical assessment to rule out underlying conditions.