Page 49 - MHF-FeedingMinds-final.indd

40 2.1 Measuring and Assessing Growth

Table 2.1.1 Average growth rates at different usually done on the job with more experienced
ages staff but online resources are available and are
listed at the end of this chapter.
Age/developmental Weight Height
stage gain (kg/ increase (cm/ Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of thinness
year) year) and fatness and is calculated by dividing the
Infant weight in kilograms by the square of the height in
6.6 25 metres:
1–2 years 2.5 12
2 5–6 BMI = Weight in kg
3 years–puberty 3.9 8 (6–10) (Height in m)2

Female adolescent 3.7 9 (6–13)
growth spurt
For example a young child weighing 13.2 kg and
Male adolescent measuring 91 cm or 0.91 m will have a BMI of 13.2/
growth spurt (0.91)2 = 15.9. This figure should then be plotted on
the BMI-for-age centile chart.
Table 2.1.2 Pubertal growth spurt statistics
Recommendations for measuring
Average age of peak Girls Boys children
growth rate 12 years 14 years
Frequency of measuring infants and
Mean total gain in height 20–25 cm 25–30 cm children
over the 3-year growth As a minimum, infants should be weighed at (NICE
spurt 1.63 m 1.78 m 2008):

Average final height ●● birth

Table 2.1.3 Main drivers of growth at different ●● 5 and 10 days, as part of an overall assessment of
ages feeding

Main drivers of growth in length or ●● 6–8-week check
Age height
●● times of routine immunizations at 2, 3 and 4
Prenatal Maternal nutrition, IGF-1, IGF-2, EGF, months and 12–13 months.
FGF, TGF, insulin
If there is concern, children should be weighed and
Infancy 0–12 Nutrition, growth hormone, IGF-1 measured as part of monitoring; however, weights
months measured too closely together are often misleading
and can cause stress and concern. A full or empty
Childhood Growth hormone, IGF-1, thyroxine bladder can make a significant difference to the
weight of an infant. Weighing more frequently
Puberty Growth hormone, IGF-1, sex steroids: than:
testosterone in boys and oestrogen in
girls ●● once a month up to 6 months of age

Assessing Growth and Body Mass ●● once every 2 months from 6 to 12 months of age
Index on Centile Charts
●● once every 3 months over the age of 1 year
Children’s growth is assessed by plotting successive
accurate measurements of weight and length/ is not necessary in healthy children.
height on centile charts that describe weight for age Length is not normally measured during infancy
and length/height for age, respectively. Accurate
measurements must be taken on calibrated scales. as it is hard to measure accurately and weight is an
Staff taking measurements, and plotting and adequate indication of growth during the first year.
interpreting growth charts should undertake
training for this purpose. Practical training is