Evidence-Based Medicine, the Evidence Pyramid, and Raising the Bar for Children’s Height Supplements
When it comes to children’s health, both families and professionals seek solutions that are safe, effective, and grounded in science. However, in the world of dietary supplements—especially those aimed at supporting children’s growth—robust scientific evidence is often lacking. This blog explores how evidence-based medicine (EBM) and the evidence pyramid are shaping both clinical care and the supplement industry. We also share our commitment to applying these rigorous standards to our children’s height support product, iKids-Growth, and how this approach helps address real needs beyond basic nutrition or medical therapy.
What is Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM)?
Evidence-based medicine is a clinical approach that integrates the best available research, the expertise of healthcare professionals, and the values of patients to guide decision-making. EBM emerged to address the limitations of tradition- or opinion-based medicine, emphasizing critical appraisal and the use of high-quality evidence.
For families and professionals, EBM means moving beyond marketing or anecdotal claims, and instead making choices based on robust, transparent, and reproducible scientific proof.
The Evidence Pyramid: Understanding Levels of Scientific Proof
Source: The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth
The evidence pyramid is a visual hierarchy ranking scientific studies by their reliability and risk of bias. At its base are laboratory and animal studies, which provide foundational insights but may not directly translate to human outcomes. As you move up, you find case reports, cohort studies, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs), with systematic reviews and meta-analyses at the top.
| Level of Evidence | Example Study Type | Reliability |
|---|---|---|
| Systematic Reviews/Meta-analyses | Pooled analyses of multiple RCTs | Highest |
| Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) | Comparing intervention vs. placebo | High |
| Cohort/Case-Control Studies | Observational, long-term tracking | Moderate |
| Case Reports/Series | Individual or small group outcomes | Low |
| Laboratory/Animal Studies | Preclinical mechanisms | Lowest |
This hierarchy helps clinicians and consumers distinguish between robust science and less substantiated claims, guiding more informed decisions.
EBM and the Development of Health Products
Pharmaceuticals are required to follow the evidence pyramid, progressing from preclinical testing to RCTs and post-market surveillance. Most dietary supplements, however, are not held to these standards and often rely on lower-level evidence or broad claims about “wellness” or “immunity.”
Our approach with iKids-Growth is different. We voluntarily adopt a rigorous, multi-level EBM framework—conducting RCTs, cohort studies, mechanistic research, and real-world data analysis—to ensure both safety and efficacy are supported by credible science.
The Unique Challenge in Children’s Height Support
Current Landscape
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Medical Therapies: such as growth hormone injections are effective but are strictly limited to children with specific medical conditions—such as short stature below the 3rd percentile (P3) or diagnosed growth hormone deficiency. These therapies require clinical supervision and are not accessible to the majority of children.
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Traditional Supplements: focus on basic nutrition (protein, calcium, vitamins), which are essential for health but do not directly address the biological pathways involved in height growth.
The Gap
Many children who are shorter than average do not meet the criteria for medical therapy but still have a strong desire for height support. Until now, there have been limited options for these families—a situation we aim to address with a solution that is both gentle and grounded in scientific evidence.
iKids-Growth: Our Approach to Evidence-Based Height Support
iKids-Growth is a natural, hormone-free supplement designed to support children’s height by working within the body’s own GH–IGF-1 axis—the key biological pathway that regulates growth. Our product is designed with a dual day-and-night formula, inspired by the body’s natural growth rhythms and focused on supporting overall growth potential.
- At night – supports IGF‑1 production in the liver
- By day – helps bones respond to IGF‑1 and grow
Scientific Validation Across the Evidence Pyramid
| Main ID | Public Title | Date of Registration |
|---|---|---|
| ChiCTR2500099519 | A prospective cohort study of dietary supplement iKids - Growth for children to improve height development in short children with low preadolescent IGF - 1 | 2025 - 03 - 25 |
| ChiCTR2500098684 | A prospective cohort study of dietary supplement iKids - Growth for children to improve short - growing children's height development | 2025 - 03 - 12 |
| ChiCTR2400091874 | Clinical Study of the Efficacy of Children's Dietary Supplement iKids - Growth in improving height development of children at risk for growth retardation | 2024 - 11 - 05 |
| ChiCTR2400084375 | A prospective cohort study of dietary supplement iKids - Growth for children to improve height development in short children with slow preadolescent growth | 2024 - 05 - 15 |
| ChiCTR2400082004 | Clinical Study of the Efficacy and Safety of iKids - Growth Children's Dietary Supplement in Improving Height Development in SHOX Deficiency (SHOX - D) Patients | 2024 - 03 - 18 |
| ChiCTR2300071632 | iKids - Growth - SRS trial | 2023 - 05 - 19 |
Source: WHO International Clinial Trials Registry Platform
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Ongoing clinical studies, including 3 randomized controlled trials and 20+ multi-center cohort studies
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3,000+ tracked case follow-ups
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Mechanistic research using cell and animal models
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10,000+ cell signaling pathway experiments
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50,000+ real-world pediatric user records with less than 0.1% mild, non-causal adverse events
How iKids-Growth Works
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Supports the body’s natural growth process by providing a blend of natural extracts, carefully selected and tested for their ability to modulate key growth pathways.
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Formulated to work with the body’s natural day and night cycles, aligning with periods when growth-related biological activities is most prominent.
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Developed using our proprietary human primary cell-based platform Acesvia to identify and refine ingredients that support healthy growth patterns.
How iKids-Growth Compares
| iKids-Growth (EBM-based) | Typical Supplements | GH Injections | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evidence Level | RCTs, Cohorts, RWE | Anecdotes, Theory | RCTs, Guidelines |
| Mechanism | Supports natural growth processes | Basic nutrition | Hormone replacement |
| Safety | Extensive data, hormone-free | Generally safe, limited proof | Medical supervision required |
| Accessibility | No prescription needed, easy daily use | No prescription needed, easy daily use | Prescription only |
| Target Group | Healthy children, those with growth needs and open growth plates | General | Growth disorders |
Why Evidence-Based Supplements Matter—For Families and Professionals
For families
Choosing a supplement with true scientific backing means peace of mind—knowing that claims are based on real data, not just marketing.
For professionals
Pediatricians and nutritionists can recommend iKids-Growth with confidence, thanks to its robust clinical evidence and transparent safety record. It offers a practical, gentle, and scientifically validated option for children who need more than basic nutrition but do not qualify for medical therapies.
Bridging the gap
iKids-Growth demonstrates how dietary supplements can be developed and validated to higher standards, providing new options for children’s healthy growth.
Conclusion
Evidence-based medicine and the evidence pyramid have set new standards for consumer healthcare products. Our commitment is to uphold these standards in the development of iKids-Growth—offering families and professionals a transparent, safe, and effective choice for supporting children’s height and overall growth.
For parents and professionals alike:
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Demand evidence, not just promises.
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Choose products that are as safe and effective as science can make them.
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Let’s raise the bar for children’s health—together.
Still have questions about your child’s height growth?
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