Delayed growth: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Call emergency services if your child is difficult to wake, has severe trouble breathing, has a seizure, or becomes unresponsive.

   Other emergency signs, for anyone

   • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
   • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
   • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
   • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
   • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
   • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
   • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
   • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
2. 2

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   Arrange an appointment sooner if there is persistent diarrhoea, pain, poor appetite, unusual thirst, frequent urination, marked tiredness, or difficulty feeding.

   Seek same-day medical advice if your child has repeated vomiting and cannot keep fluids down, has very little urine, or is becoming unusually weak or sleepy.

   These symptoms require urgent help regardless of the growth concern.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
3. 3

   Does any of this apply?

   Book an appointment

   Book a routine appointment if your child’s growth has slowed, weight is falling, clothes have stayed the same size for a long time, or puberty appears later than expected.

   And for anyone, someone who:

   • has noticed a lump, a mole that has changed, or unexplained weight loss
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Delayed growth. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.