Growing pains

ARTICLE SECTIONS

Definition Symptoms Causes Risk factors

When to seek medical advice Tests and diagnosis Treatments and drugs

Definition

Your 8-year-old daughter can't fall asleep because her legs hurt. Your friend's 6-year-old son wakes up in tears with the same complaint.

Coincidence?

Probably not. An estimated 15 percent of children experience occasional nighttime leg pain without an apparent cause — often called growing pains.

Growing pains aren't a disease. In fact, the term "growing pains" may be a misnomer because there's no evidence that growth hurts. Still, growing pains are real for many kids. And it's important to take your child's complaints seriously. Occasionally, growing pains may be due to an underlying condition that can be treated.

Growing pains typically end by the teen years. In the meantime, simple comfort measures can help your child make it through the night.

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Symptoms