Can a 14-year-old boy still grow taller based on his bone age?
Dec 05, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lin Yunfei
Introduction
A 14-year-old boy with a bone age of 14 typically remains in the stage of growth and development. If an examination reveals that the epiphyseal lines have not yet closed, this generally indicates there is still potential for further growth and height increase. However, if the examination shows that the epiphyseal lines have already closed, this suggests the growth plates have lost their ability to divide and proliferate, usually indicating a very low likelihood of further height growth.
Whether a boy with a 14-year-old bone age can still grow taller depends on whether the epiphyseal plates have closed.
1. Yes: A boy with a 14-year-old bone age is typically still in a stage of growth and development. The cells in the epiphyseal regions continue to divide, promoting height increase. If medical examination shows that the epiphyseal plates have not yet closed, this usually indicates there remains potential for further growth, meaning the boy can still grow taller. However, since height growth is influenced by various factors, it's impossible to accurately predict the exact amount of future height gain.
2. No: If examination reveals that the epiphyseal plates have already closed in a boy with a 14-year-old bone age, this indicates the epiphyses have lost their ability to divide and proliferate, generally suggesting very limited potential for further height increase.
In daily life, it's recommended to undergo regular physical checkups at the hospital during puberty to monitor the closure status of the epiphyseal plates and prevent premature closure that could result in suboptimal final height. Additionally, maintaining proper nutrition, sufficient sleep, and engaging in regular physical exercise can significantly support healthy height development.
