Q: My younger brother is 18 years old and is in the 12th standard. He is 6 feet 5 inches tall. Since he still has a couple of more years for growth, my parents feel that it would look awkward for him if he grows even more taller. We are wondering whether this might be due to some endocrine disorder. Is there any growth arrester that can stop an individual from growing? Moreover, my father and I are 6 feet tall and my mother is 5 feet 8 inches tall.

A:The tall stature of your brother is familial or constitutional, and not due to any hormone imbalances. Still it will be prudent to consult a paediatric endocrinologist nearby to evaluate him and screen for any hormonal excess. Very rarely, this could be due to excess growth hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. It is possible to arrest further growth and height by hormone therapy. Teach him to make the best use out of his height by playing games like basketball, tennis etc.