Growth is an important window to the health of a child: it is an indicator of proper diet and nutrition, the functioning of the kidney, rheumatoid, gastrointestinal and cardiac systems; infection; inflammatory and genetic diseases; and levels of thyroid, growth, and pubertal hormones. Abnormal growth is a major concern for both pediatricians and families alike.  Certain populations of children are at increased risk for growth failure and should be evaluated carefully. Others may appear to be short and possibly growing abnormally but may fall within the spectrum of what is normal for the family. For those that have true growth failure, non-hormonal causes must be considered. To aid diagnosis, this center comprises a testing center staffed by pediatric specialty trained phlebotomist and caregivers to safely provide a nurturing environment for the performance of prolonged stimulation tests that include growth hormone stimulation tests, tests of adrenal function, and tests hypothalamic pituitary gonadal function.  If an endocrine etiology is the cause of growth failure, several treatment options are currently approved to aid in reversing the process.  These therapies should be administered by an experienced pediatric endocrinology team to ensure correct diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and avoidance of potential side effects.

At the growth center, we diagnose and treat a variety of conditions such as growth hormone deficiency, idiopathic short stature; obesity; and Turner, Noonan, Russell-Silver, Prader-Willi, CHARGE, and overgrowth syndromes. We also specialize in treating children born small for gestational age.  An integral part of the Growth Center is Genetics Core that will assist in evaluating anything from single gene to whole exome analyses for the diagnosis for growth disorders.  Some of the genes assayed include: ACAN and NPR2, growth hormone deficiency (GHRHR, GH1, and GHSR), low IGF-1 (GH1, IGF1, GHR, STAT5B).

Our centralized team facilitates improved health outcomes by providing seamless continuity of care across sub-specialties involved in diagnosing and treating pediatric growth disorders. Growth disorders may reflect nutritional issues, systemic disorders, hormonal or genetic defects and our multidisciplinary team allows effortless coordination of care between these disciplines.

The Mount Sinai Children’s Comprehensive Growth Center provides comprehensive, integrated, and personalized care. Disorders related to growth often require a team of care, and patients at the growth center receive multidisciplinary care with our own team of physicians, nurse practitioners, nutritionists, and social workers. Our state-of-the-art stimulation testing center offers child-friendly entertainment during testing, and we additionally offer genetic testing, psychosocial support, and nutritionist assessment and recommendations. In addition, the Growth Center has practitioners to assist patients and their families with psycho-social challenges and the crucial transition to adulthood and the self-management of chronic conditions. 

We also host both parent and patient support groups to foster connections within the community and aid with the psychological and social challenges associated with growth disorders. Our optional parent, patient, and professional advisory groups further support and improve the care of our patients and families.

Combined conferences with both genetics as well as neuroradiology assure that the latest in state-of-the-art developments for diagnosis and evaluation are available to the children and families being evaluated.

Our team is also at the forefront of clinical and scientific research, regularly contributing to peer-reviewed publications and national and international conferences. With an unrivalled research team of scientists and physician-scientists, we are working to advance scientific discovery for growth disorders which can be translated into new treatments and therapies.