[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12873]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            GROWTH AWARENESS

  Mr. KIRK. Mr. President, today, on behalf of every child who suffers 
from growth disorders, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing 
this week, September 19 through 23, as Growth Awareness Week.
  Tracking a child's growth is critical as it is a major sign of his or 
her overall health. When their growth is delayed, it is an indicator of 
potential underlying medical disorders. In fact, more than 600 serious 
diseases and health conditions, ranging from nutritional disturbances 
and hormone imbalances to unidentified kidney problems and brain 
tumors, can cause growth failure. Unfortunately, the two most common 
causes of growth failures frequently go undiagnosed, even in children 
who are evaluated.
  By failing to diagnose the cause of growth failure, the potential for 
damage and high costs of care increases. By contrast, early detection 
and diagnosis can ensure a healthy future for children with growth 
failures. That is why raising public awareness and education about 
growth failure is so important.
  I commend the MAGIC Foundation for their great work and look forward 
to working with my colleagues to improve the lives and health of 
children in Illinois and across the country.

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