Is There Catch-Up Growth? Evidence from Three Continents

Catch-up Growth

Catch-up growth.

Catch-up growth, defined as growth velocity above the statistical limits of normality for age or maturity during a defined period of time, is distinguished from compensatory growth since it makes up for a potential loss rather than an actual loss and is seen in the whole body as opposed to specific organs. The cellular explanation for catch-up based on the work of Winick is described and a rece...

Nutritionally-Induced Catch-Up Growth

Malnutrition is considered a leading cause of growth attenuation in children. When food is replenished, spontaneous catch-up (CU) growth usually occurs, bringing the child back to its original growth trajectory. However, in some cases, the CU growth is not complete, leading to a permanent growth deficit. This review summarizes our current knowledge regarding the mechanism regulating nutrition a...

Catch up growth following abuse.

Poor growth in association with child abuse is well recognised, but the eventual outcome with respect to growth has not been clearly defined. In a study of 95 children who had suffered child abuse standard deviation (SD) scores for height and weight were significantly below the mean at presentation and improved at follow up. Sixty four children who remained at home showed significant increase i...

Growth plate senescence and catch-up growth.

Longitudinal bone growth is rapid in prenatal and early postnatal life, but then slows with age and eventually ceases. This growth deceleration is caused primarily by a decrease in chondrocyte proliferation, and is associated with other structural, functional, and molecular changes collectively termed growth plate senescence. Current evidence suggests that growth plate senescence occurs because...