Applied physiology: Understanding growth

SummaryThe process of growth can be considered to occur in four phases: intra-uterine, infancy, early childhood and the pubertal growth spurt. Each of these components is regulated by different factors. During intra-uterine life, growth is regulated by genetic, maternal, nutritional, placental and growth-promoting factors. In infancy, growth is dependent upon nutrition, whereas in early childhood, growth hormone and thyroid hormones become important in regulating growth. Finally, the pubertal growth spurt is controlled by a combination of growth hormone and sex steroids.