Small parents, as a rule, have smaller children. Sometimes it is hard to tell if a child is not growing normally. Growth can be affected by any number of causes. The primary causes of retarded or slower growing patterns are growth hormone deficiency, thyroid disorders, chronic illness, poor nutrition, and emotional distress. Growth can be impaired by illnesses like asthma, congenital heart disorders, chronic kidney failure, and anemia.
Poor nutrition can adversely affect a person's growth.
Infants and children who do not receive sufficient nutrients may develop a syndrome called failure to thrive. Persons with neuromuscular diseases, cleft palate, or some psychosocial problems may not get enough to eat. Some diseases such as cystic fibrosis, congestive heart failure, and HIV interfere with the body's use of nutrients. Still other conditions, such as diabetes or pyloric stenosis, a narrowing of the outlet of the stomach, cause the person to lose nutrients after they are ingested. Growth patterns in children vary.