A growth charts tell a story long before a child can. A sudden dip, a stubborn plateau, a pubertal spurt that arrives too early, or too late, can spark big questions. From short stature to rapid puberty, it's time to unpack the patterns, pitfalls and possibilities behind pediatric growth. We want to help you sort the reassuring from the concerning and recognize when an endocrinology referral can truly change the trajectory.

Animesh Sharma, MD, specializes in endocrinology at Children's Hospital Colorado, and is an assistant professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Some highlights from this episode include:

• The most common growth concerns in primary care
• How to identify a growth concern when patients are younger
• What workups should be included when referring a patient to endocrinology
• Understanding the layers of growth and how to calm parents' nerves

For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org.