Parents of Growing Children Need to Know!

July 25, 2014 - PRLog -- WHAT-WHEN:July 23, 2014 the U.S. Senate passed the Growth Awareness Resolution, S. Res. 489, acknowledging children's Growth Awareness Week.

WHY IS THIS SIGNIFICANT?

This is the first time in American history that the federal government has acknowledged the importance of what a child's growth pattern can say about their overall health. Mary Andrews, Co-Founder of The MAGIC Foundation which spearheaded this effort, explained that there are hundreds of medical conditions which can impact a child's growth. "If, as parents, we understand how important annual measurements are, and what they can reveal about our child's health, we know to obtain medical care early, instead of waiting to see if they "outgrow" a problem. Because abnormal growth is a major indicator of a child's overall health. The goal is to educate parents and give doctors more time to intervene if needed to help the child before permanent damage occurs."

WHO DOES THIS IMPACT?

Medical issues ranging from brain tumors, nutrition, hormone imbalances, rare syndromes and many other medical threats can all be reflected first in a child's abnormal growth! So again who does this information impact? Every family with growing aged children!

HISTORY OF THIS MILESTONE

Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) sponsored the bill with Senator Menendez (D-NJ) completed the bi-partisan circle and the resolution passed unanimously.

Senator Hagan (D-NC), the Turner Syndrome Society and numerous others from around the country joined The MAGIC Foundation's initiative in support of this resolution. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists has endorsed Growth Awareness. S. Res. 489 raises much needed awareness to the special patients our children are, and their often under-recognized challenges.

Medical literature correlates more than 600 conditions which impact children's growth. Just one of those conditions occurs 1:2,400 girls and the same for boys. When you add that statistic alone to all the frequencies of the other 599+ medical conditions, the number becomes something that no one should ignore! Disruptions in children's growth and therefore health, is much more important than people realize.

Yesterday's decision to support Growth Awareness helps children and their families feel some relief and steps are being taken to acknowledge that their medical challenges are serious. Challenges faced each day by affected children can be daunting. This resolution is one big step to help the public realize that growth abnormalities are important. Height is just a visible marker of their health and growing says they are getting healthy again!

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