What is normal growth chart?

 Growth chart :

Following are charts for boys and girls.

1. CDC growth chart
2. WHO growth chart

The growth chart are available for <2y and 2-20 year of child . According to the age of child, growth charts vary accordingly . To monitor the growth and development of the child, one must select the most appropriate chart.

Growth chart for new born:

In new born usually weight is an  appropriate measure of growth .

Under weight and small for gestation age denote children having growth restriction  during pregnancy.

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)refers to a condition in which an unborn baby is smaller  than it should be because  it is not growing at a normal rate inside the womb.'' Delayed growth makes the child more vulnerable to certain health condition during pregnancy , delivery, and after birth . The risk include:

Low birth weight;

1. Difficulty handling the stress of vaginal delivery
2. Low oxygen levels
3. Hypoglycemia
4. Lowered resistance to infection
5. Low Apgar score;  ''a test given immediately after birth to evaluate
6. the newborn's physicals condition and determine need for special medical care''
7.     
8. Meconium aspiration (''inhalation of stools passed while in the uterus'')  leading to breathing issues.
9. Difficulty in maintenance of body temperature.

Children<2 y

Weight - for - age

Weight - for - length

Head circumference- for - age

Length -for- age

Children 2-20 y

Weight - for - age

Height -for -age

BMI -for -age

The CDC with the concurrence of the American academy of pediatric, recommended the use of the WHO chart for all children younger than 24 month . Following are the growth chart recommendation according to age and area:

Country/ Region          0-2y             2-5y                5-20y

USA                           WHO             CDC               CDC

Outside of USA       - WHO            WHO              varies, use country

                                                         -                    WHO chart for 5-18

                                                                                year

How to read or interpret the chart; 

The following step are useful to correctly read the growth chart. To find out what is the percentiles of a year child, firstly , select the appropriate hart ,e g  the CDC growth chart . In the at the top there is age while the bottom there is circumference, at left and right there is length and weight respectively. Curves on the chart indicate the percentiles of weight - for - age and length - for -age.

Step 1 : At the bottom of t he chart's find out the child's age and draw a vertical line from top of the chart to the bottom on respective age

Step 2: Find the weight of the child on the chart's right- hand side, and draw a horizontal line ( from left to right)

Step 3:  Identify the spot where these two lines intersect or cross each other 

Step 4: Find the curve which is closest to this point and follow it toward the right side until you find the number corresponding to the percentile of the child .

Indicator                          cut- off                        interpretation

BMI for age                    >95th percentile              obesity

BMI for age                    >85th  and <95th                   overweight

                                          percentile

Weight for height or        <3rd percentile                wasting

weight for length

height or length               <3rd percentile               stunning    

   

 Birth to 36 months : boys                 

Length - for- age and weight -for -age percentiles.

Length-for-Age Percentiles for Boys (Birth to 36 Months):

5th percentile: If a boy's length falls below this line, it means that only 5% of boys his age are shorter than he is.

50th percentile (Median): This is considered the "average" or "normal" length for boys of a specific age.

95th percentile: If a boy's length is above this line, it means that only 5% of boys his age are taller than he is.

Weight-for-Age Percentiles for Boys (Birth to 36 Months):

5th percentile: If a boy's weight falls below this line, it means that only 5% of boys his age weigh less than he does.

50th percentile (Median): This is considered the average or normal weight for boys of a specific age.

95th percentile: If a boy's weight is above this line, it means that only 5% of boys his age weigh more than he does.

Birth to 36 months : girls                          

   Length - for - age and weight - for - age percentiles.

Length-for-Age Percentiles for Girls (Birth to 36 Months):

5th percentile: If a girl's length falls below this line, it means that only 5% of girls her age are shorter than she is.

50th percentile (Median): This is considered the average or normal length for girls of a specific age.

95th percentile: If a girl's length is above this line, it means that only 5% of girls her age are taller than she is.

Weight-for-Age Percentiles for Girls (Birth to 36 Months):

5th percentile: If a girl's weight falls below this line, it means that only 5% of girls her age weigh less than she does.

50th percentile (Median): This is considered the average or normal weight for girls of a specific age.

95th percentile: If a girl's weight is above this line, it means that only 5% of girls her age weigh more than she does.

1. What is normal growth chart?
2. How do you plot child growth chart?
3. What factors contribute to a child's growth as represented on a growth chart?
4. How are percentiles on a growth chart interpreted and what do they mean in terms of a child's development?
5. What might cause deviations from the "norm" on a growth chart, and when should a medical professional be consulted?
6. How do growth charts differ for boys and girls, and why are these differences significant?
7. Can a growth chart be used as the sole determinant of a child's health, or are there other important considerations to keep in mind?: