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Child growth

One-off growth measures

  • Adam is 7 months old and has recently moved from interstate.  He is attending your clinic for the first time for a general health review. His weight is 7.5 kg and length is 69.2 cm.   His parents are unable to provide any information on his previous weight and length measurements.

    Case study questions and activities

    1. Plot Adam's growth

    case2_c_weight_boys.gif

    case2_c_length_boys.gif

  • 2. How would you describe Adam’s growth pattern?

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    Adams weight is just above the 15th percentile and length is on the 50th percentile.  It is not possible to describe Adam’s growth pattern from a single set of measurements. Based on these measurements this is a snapshot of his current weight and length. It doesn’t describe his growth, just his current size. 

    3. What additional information do you need to be able to describe Adam’s growth pattern? 

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    Serial measurements over time are needed to be able to describe a growth pattern and make an assessment.  Tracking of weight and height on different percentiles is considered normal growth however single measures give no indication as to whether growth is in fact tracking.  Obtaining and plotting previous measurement may or may not confirm that Adam is growing appropriately.  It is possible that growth percentiles may have increased or decreased over time.

    4. When should Adam’s next review be scheduled?  What other factors would you take into consideration when deciding this?

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    Additional factors could include but are not limited to:
    1. General health and development.
    2. Presence of diagnosed medical condition that may impact on growth.
    3. Diet / feeding history.
    4. Social history.

    Concern in one or more of these areas may indicate need for earlier review.  If no concerns emerge then review in line with usual monitoring practice may be considered appropriate.

    Key Learning from this study

    1. Growth assessment requires serial measurements over time.
    2. Single measurements can only useful as a snapshot / point in time assessment
    3. Anthropometric measurements are only one consideration in the assessment of a child’s health status.
    4. Tracking of weight and height on different percentile lines can be normal.