Dr. Greene’s Answer:
Childhood is a magical time. What is the essence of childhood? Is it wonder? Innocence? Security? . . .
The essence of childhood is growth. Growth defines childhood for all species. Growth creates the magic and the wonder. Of course some adults retain a sense wonder — those who continue to flower and grow.
Since growing is the core task of childhood, assessing growth is an important part of pediatrics. One of the major reasons for those numerous well-child check ups is to carefully measure and follow growth over time. Each time a young child visits her doctor, her height, weight, and head circumference are measured and recorded on a growth chart.
These charts were created from data collected between 1963 and 1975 as part of the Fels Longitudinal Study conducted by Wright State University School of Medicine in Yellow Springs, Ohio. More than 20,000 healthy, well-nourished, American children were measured to determine normal growth rates. In 1979, the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) published these values as reference numbers for children in the U.S. The World Health Organization (WHO) later adopted these same numbers as the international standard for growth.
The NCHS growth charts are divided into seven percentile lines, ranging from the 5th to 95th percentile. If a girl, such as Siobhan, is at the 75th percentile in height, it does not mean that her height is 75 percent of normal. Rather it means that Siobhan is taller than 75 percent of the healthy, well-nourished girls her age in the Ohio Study between 1963 and 1975. The 50th percentile is the median, or standard value — the number above and below which half of the children fall.
Siobhan’s height, weight, and head circumference are all normal for her age. Numbers between the 5th and 95th percentiles are considered normal. The standard weight for a one-year-old girl is 21 pounds. Anyone weighing between 17 1/4 and 24 3/4 pounds will be between the 5th and 95th percentiles. Nevertheless, remember that, by definition, 5 percent of completely healthy, well-nourished girls will fall below the 5th percentile. Still, when a child measures below the 5th percentile, the likelihood that there is some type of growth problem increases.
The NCHS charts not only determine normal height, weight, and head circumference for age, but also provide values of appropriate weight for each given height, regardless of age. Since she was 2 months old, Siobhan’s weight for height has fallen between the 5th and 10th percentiles. Between five and 10 percent of healthy, well-nourished children of her height weigh less than she does. She is thin — but not abnormally thin.
So far we have been looking at where a child falls on the growth chart at any given moment — but growth is a process, not a moment in time. A girl at the fifth percentile in weight may be growing normally, may be experiencing growth failure, or may be having a growth spurt, depending on the trajectory of her growth curve. The first few points of a growth curve primarily reflect the in utero environment. Once a child is a few months old, however, the curves begin to reflect her own genetic tendencies, as well as the impact of her own nutrition and health. Rapid changes in percentile lines may signal a problem. If Siobahn’s weight and head circumference proceed to fall below the 5th percentile, it will be prudent to determine why.
Broadly speaking, children who are too small may be so for one of 5 reasons — congenital, familial, constitutional, hormonal, or nutritional:
- Congenitally small children are born small, and the growth tapers off during infancy. The underlying problem might be a chromosomal abnormality (such as Down’s syndrome), a congenital infection (such as herpes), or a toxic exposure (such as alcohol or tobacco).
- Children small for familial reasons have small parents.
- In constitutional growth delay, children are born at an average size, drop to lower percentiles during infancy, and then follow these curves through childhood, with an extra growth spurt during adolescence. These children become normal size adults. This pattern may run in families (it does in mine).
- Children with hormonal growth failure will have normal or increased weight for height. Their heights will decline before, or at the same time as, weights.
- In nutritional problems, by contrast, the weight falls first (called wasting), perhaps followed eventually by the height (called stunting), and sometimes leading eventually to a decreasing head size (severe, chronic malnutrition). Nutritional problems can be the result of inadequate intake, increased caloric needs (heart disease, kidney disease), or the inability to use calories consumed (extreme social/emotional deprivation).
I can’t possibly assess your daughter without having examined her. I can say, however, that a child with a growth pattern like your daughter’s might be growing completely normally, might have a constitutional growth delay, or might need some extra nutrition. A careful history and physical examination by her pediatrician, with particular attention to her overall development and nutritional status, should help illuminate the situation. Tell Siobhan happy birthday from me, and may we all grow in wonder this coming year!
Toni
My Grandaughter is six months old and weighs 23 pounds, not sure of height, however she seems to be tall. Mom is concerned she is too large, can you address this, will she slow down as a normal course? Or continue growth at this level, she was 9 pounds at birth,
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Amna
My baby is 10 month old boy . He height is 29 and waight is 18 pound 11 ounces . Head circumference is 45 is it ok or I need to worry . Please give me advise what I need to do next
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Jacky
My daughter weight is 28kg and her height is 124 cm is it ok or not and what can we do thanks.
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Veena
I am 38 weeks pregnant, my baby falls in 5 th percentile. My Dr did scanning dappled method and said brain sparing effect. What does this mean,. Should I worry. Will my baby be normal or will it be something to worry about later.
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Tasha Viau
My son was born 8lbs however as he became older it was as though he stopped growing. I expressed concerns until in 2011 the pediatrician sent us to specialists. They did so many tests. I was told he had CGD and would eventually catch up, all the tests were normal. My son is now 11 and weighs 51 lbs and is 49 and 1/2 inch tall. On monday the 16th i expressed my concern again this time to a different doctor. After reading test results to me from 2011 i was informed my son has had a non cancerous (or so they think) tumor on his pituitary gland? They did another Bone growth xray which today results are his bone age is of a 6 year old. I am scared for him. I am upset that these doctors failed my son. What effects will this have now on his life. It has already made his life a living hell, bullied everyday, has not been able to participate in sports or other activities. He is now complaining of vision loss, and headaches. What ramifications does this doctor have to face? Please help i need answers
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Anne
Hi there, my son is 6 months now and he weighs 7kg and his height is 61cm, is that normal since his birth weight was 2.5kg and his height was 51cm, kindly advice, Tq
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Souda (Bangladesh)
Hello
My son age 45 month his weight 13.4 kilogram and height 40 inches. Please tell me, is this perfect? I am worried about it.
Thank you.
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Amna Khan
hy. my son is one year old with head circumference of 40 and his weight is 7.5kg. he is still not able to sit or stand,as after birth he suffered fits,but recovered soon after medication. plz guide me
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hasan
My son age 38 months and his weight around 10.5-kilogram. why his weight not improved. please advise. I have some minor thalassemia.
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josephine
I really want to know the cause of my daughter growth. She is 11 months, but have weight 6.4 kg which I know is not normal. Please help me Dr Greene.
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Pat
Granddaughter had to be delivered by c-section (her head was to big for vaginal delivery) a year ago; monitoring head circumference at each checkup; doctors always mention she has a big head, but not concerned; developmental milestones (emotional, physical, etc) are all within “average” range. Daughter asked doctor if there was any concern about head circumference and he said he didn’t think so since baby has always had a big head, but they might want to have a cat scan to rule out anything or they could see a pediatric neurologist if they were really concerned. Insurance pays minimal and kids just don’t know what to do. Any problem with continuing to monitor and watch for any milestones not being met?
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babita
My baby 1 year old and head is 50.05 Cm. Please tell ime if this is correct or not, and what can I do.
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Milano
My son weighs 14 pounds 14 ounces at his 4 month check up his head circumference is 15 3/4 and he is 25.5 inches long is he at a normal height and weight?
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Tahir mehmood
hello my son is 18 months old he is very weak,weighs only 7 kg i m much worried about him plz do suggest me
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danielle
My daughter is 18 months she only weighs 21 pounds and is 29 inches. I’m only 5 ft. But her dad is over 6 ft. I know I was a peanut too, but with her dad being so tall I was kind of hoping she would at least be average. Doc says she’s below the 2nd percentile. It just keeps dropping and I’m not sure why. When she was born she weighed 7 lbs. 10.5 oz. And was 20 in. Long. As much as I would love to keep her this size forever I do want her to develop normally. Any suggestions?
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Tasha
This sounds like my son. We went through the same thing. Please do not ignore this. If you feel something is wrong pursue this fully. My son was failed by his doctor and i am now facing the reality that he is going to need growth hormones and his pituitary removed. I was told the same thing for years, even having test results hidden from me. Hope all is well i never want this to happen another child or their families. It has caused my son so much pain, not fitting in, always being bullied. His health, self esteem all of it has been destroyed. Hope your daughter has a better outcome than my son.
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kazia
Thank you for telling your story i am going to look into specialists for my three week old …. he is not gaining very fast and i am scared i feed him 4 ounces of formula every three hours he has only gained 13 ounces in a two week period my other children seemed to grow alot faster i as a mother just feel something isnt right hints why i am doing my studying on the subject i am going to look into tummy doctors and ask about the pituitary gland ! i hope your baby gets better real soon…..
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Cerina Murrells
My 9 week old son had a check up today. His weight is 11 lbs 10oz. His length is 58cm, but his head circumference is 41cm which I have been told is to be checked in 2 weeks time. Is the head circumference abnormal? Do I need to worry?
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Tracy Garcia
Hello, my son turned 2 years old on Dec 24th, 2014. At his two year well child check up, he measured 32″ and weight was 24.4 Lbs. I am concerned, he is at 4th % for height and 9% for weight. He was a normal 6 Lbs 4 oz and 18.5 in at birth, but he was 12 Lbs at 1 month. He doubled his birth weight in just 1 month. He was exclusively breastfed until 18 months. Is it normal to be at 4th percentile for his age? My height is 5″ 0′ and my husband 5″ 5′.
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Cathy layne
No worries! I have 8 children.i went through the same thing with my now 20 year old always 3 rd percent or not on the chart.we put him on pediasure off and on for 18 years.today he is 5 ft. 9 and 140 lbs. and on the deans list in college.they all grow up and it is most likely just his nature.im 5 ft. 1 and my husband is 6 ft.
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alicia
My son was born at 32 weeks, weighting only 3lbs. He had a heart condition which was fixed. He had ng feeding daily 26mls 23hrs a day. Anyhow, now he is 13 months and weighs 12lbs, and height 66cm. He is not developing according to milestones and doesn’t like physical contact. Obviously I know this weight is not right for age, but do you have any ideas what could be wrong? He has 15 docs, but none helping him, just “we don’t know maybe 3m syndrome”?
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Amit
My Son is 22 months old and having a head circumference of 49 cm his weight is 13 kg. His frontal fontanel is 2.5 finger open. Is this a point to worry. Although he doesn’t show any symptoms of retarted growth behaviors as such.
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IJAY
My daughter was 4.25kg at birth. At 14weeks she weighed 6.3kg, at 6 months she weighed 7kg and at 9 months she weighed 7.1kg. She weighs a little over 8kg now and 27 inches in height, 18inches in head circumference.
She eats very well, not picky at all! She is very cheerful, starting walking by 11months and is very strong and vibrant. She has a wide vocabulary for her age and has mastery of all her motor skills for her age. In summary she is doing excellently well, even ahead of her peers in so many things, except her weight and height!
I am about 5ft 4inches, her dad is about 5ft 6inches. I am averagely built for a woman (size12). Her dad is a little below averagely built. Most of the women from his own father’s side are petite in stature, but my own side of the family we are big-boned.
I live in Nigeria, and in my area we are not as detailed and observant in our health care system.
Should I be worried? Should I be worried or is she fine and will pick up later?
Any info would really be helpful! Thank you
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jj
Hello,
My son will be 18 months in a few days. He has not grown since his 12 month visit which he was measured at 34 inches. The doctor has sent him for blood work all of which came back normal except for some fat in his stools. He was a very big baby and now is not gaining much weight and their is no height growth. He is a picky eater but I have been supplementing with pediasure complete nutrition. I will take him back to the doctor tomorrow but thus far she has had no answers for why he has not grown in 6 months. Can you please help me with this?
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Carol M.
My grandson was normal in all respects at birth. Was exclusively breast fed for 6 mos. His growth is not progressing. He is the size of a 9 mo old but is 18 mos. He has a long torso and spindly legs. His tummy is huge….like the size of a squished cantaloupe. He can barely bend over. He just learned to crawl. He is very picky about food and eats mostly oatmeal,some eggs, and drinks organic whole milk. His cognitive development seems to match his physical size. If he is catching up, it’s so slow , one can hardly tell.
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samreen
my daughter is 23 month old her height is 30 inches &weight is 10 kg i m worried about her height & weight .
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mehwish
Hi my 7 mos old son is having 38 cm head circumference.he had 31.5 at the time of birth ,now he has head lag ,neither rolled over nor sat ….other wise he is happy kid.can anyone tell me about head circumference ,which has not grown since 4 months.
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