Children’s Growth Checkups in Korea: 3 Growth Clinics in Seoul

Updated August 1, 2026

Among Korean parents concerned about their children’s growth, certain growth clinics and pediatric endocrinologists come up repeatedly in conversations. In this guide,  we introduce three university hospital-based growth clinics in Seoul that are particularly well known among Korean parents. Because height alone does not tell the full story, pediatric endocrinologists look at a child's growth trajectory, puberty, family history, and other factors before deciding whether further testing is needed.

Unlike standard health screenings in Korea, university-hospital growth evaluations are not sold as fixed packages. The specialist first examines the child and then orders only the tests considered medically necessary, which may include a bone-age X-ray or targeted blood and hormone tests. For a typical initial evaluation, including the consultation and commonly needed tests, families can generally expect the total cost to be under $300.

Choosing a clinic still deserves some research. Appointments at major university hospitals can be difficult to secure and are often relatively brief, so it helps to review each specialist’s expertise in advance, bring previous growth records, and prepare your main questions before the visit.

Pediatric Endocrinologists at Gangnam Severance Hospital(Official Homepage)

Gangnam Severance Hospital

Gangnam Severance Hospital’s Pediatric and Adolescent Center brings together pediatric endocrinology with specialties including genetics, orthopedics, radiology, psychiatry, and nutrition support. Its pediatric endocrinology team evaluates short stature, precocious puberty, obesity, diabetes, thyroid disorders, and other endocrine conditions. Professor Choi Young-ha focuses on short stature, precocious puberty, pediatric obesity, diabetes, and endocrine disorders, while Professor Song Kyung-chul also treats a broad range of pediatric endocrine and metabolic conditions, including thyroid, pituitary, and adrenal disorders.

The hospital also has an established International Health Care Center offering fast-track coordination, interpretation, and aftercare for international patients. In our own experience, the hospital has been responsive when follow-up is time-sensitive: a recent Himedi patient was able to secure a return appointment for the very next day. For families visiting Korea for a limited period, that kind of flexibility can be particularly valuable.

• Address: 211 Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
• Homepage

Adolescent Wellbeing Center(Official Homepage)

Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital

Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital may be less familiar to international families than some of Seoul’s bigger-name university hospitals, but its growth clinic is well known among Korean parents. Its Youth Wellbeing Center takes a multidisciplinary approach to growth and adolescence, covering short stature, precocious puberty, pediatric obesity, diabetes, thyroid disease, scoliosis, growing pains, and other adolescent health concerns. The hospital describes it as Korea’s first center of its kind, bringing together pediatrics, gynecology, and rehabilitation medicine in a one-stop system.

A major reason to consider the hospital is Professor Hwang Il-tae, the 15th president of the Korean Society of Pediatric Endocrinology. His clinical and research work has focused extensively on short stature, growth hormone treatment, precocious puberty, and growth in children born small for gestational age. He continues to publish research in these areas, and the hospital also has additional pediatric endocrinologists specializing in growth and puberty disorders. For international parents, it is a good reminder that some of Korea’s most established specialists are found outside the hospitals with the strongest global brand recognition.

• Address: 150 Seongan-ro, Gangdong-gu, Seoul
• Homepage

   

Frequently recommended by Korean parents(Official Homepage)

Hanyang University Hospital

At Hanyang University Hospital, Professor Yang Seung is one of the names that comes up repeatedly among Korean parents discussing children’s growth. In particular, we often see Korean parents recommend him when the patient is a boy—a parent-community reputation rather than an official male-specific specialty. His clinical practice covers short stature, precocious puberty, pediatric obesity, diabetes, thyroid and adrenal diseases, and inherited metabolic disorders.

Professor Yang has also published extensively on childhood growth, including growth hormone response in children with short stature, precocious puberty, and growth outcomes in children born small or preterm. His popularity also makes planning particularly important: new-patient appointments are released at 8:30 a.m. on the first business day of each month, Hanyang University Hospital operates an International Healthcare Center that handles outpatient appointment requests and provides dedicated support for international patients.

• Address: 222-1 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
• Homepage(Korean only)

Plan Early and Focus on the Diagnosis

The biggest drawback of university hospitals is limited appointment availability. Research your options in advance, and once your Korea travel dates are confirmed, try to book as early as possible.

Rather than focusing first on the cost of growth hormone injections or how a child may respond to treatment, the initial goal should be to understand the child’s condition accurately. A shorter child may simply have a younger bone age and more time left to grow than classmates. In this sense, university hospitals can be a good starting point for families seeking a more conservative, medically driven evaluation. The visit may feel brief, but the priority is to establish a clear diagnosis and continue monitoring growth according to the specialist’s recommendations.

Book Through Himedi

If you’re considering a health checkup in Korea and want guidance, please contact Himedi.

About the Author

Donkyo Seo
Co-founder & CEO, Himedi

For the past 9 years, Donkyo has helped international patients navigate Korean healthcare. Himedi is licensed by Korea's Ministry of Health & Welfare (License #A-2016-01-01-2345).