Chinese teen's height freezes at 1.38 m after years of overnight gaming

Xiaoyu, from Zhengzhou in Henan Province, first realized something was wrong when he noticed his classmates were nearing 1.7 meters while he was still stuck at 1.38 meters.

His family took him for a medical exam and the results stunned everyone. X-rays showed that his growth plates had fully ossified. Although only 15, his bone age had advanced to that of an 18-year-old, meaning his "growth switch" had effectively shut off, Sinchew reported.

Doctors say the culprit was years of extreme sleep deprivation. With parents busy running a business, Xiaoyu developed a gaming addiction at age 12. His bedtime gradually slipped from 11 p.m. to 2–3 a.m., and he often stayed awake through the night, playing under his blanket. His parents occasionally noticed but never enforced a strict sleep routine. Over the past two years, his height stopped increasing entirely, Sina reported.

Dr. Huo Yufeng, who treated him, explained that adequate sleep is the single most important factor for teen growth. Growth hormone peaks between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. and again from 5 a.m. to 6 a.m., when levels can be two to four times higher than during the day. Missing those windows repeatedly can severely hinder bone development. Blue light from phone screens also suppresses melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep, making matters worse.

Health experts say the case is a wake-up call for parents. Teens should be in bed before 10 p.m. and sleep in complete darkness to allow their bodies to grow properly. According to China's 2025 standards, a typical 15-year-old boy should be around 1.69 meters tall, placing Xiaoyu more than 30 centimeters below the norm.