Growth charts are a major tool used for the assessment of growth and health in infants and children. The charts can also be used as a screening tool by other health professionals for referral to nutrition services provided by the registered dietitian (RD) experienced in the evaluation of the pediatric client.
For the RD, growth charts are used as one of the major components of nutrition assessment. The charts can provide information about a child’s history, give a picture of the current situation or be used to determine future nutrition needs. The best information about growth is obtained by a series of plotted measurements recorded on the chart, which form a growth curve. Accurate measurements and precise plotting of data for weight, stature, and head circumference are essential. Volume 26, No. 6, the November/December 2011 issue of NUTRITION FOCUS provides an in-depth review of equipment, techniques for measurement including alternatives for the child with special health care needs (CSHCN), and comments about specialized growth charts.
CSHCN may be at increased risk for growth concerns related to their disability, repeated medical crises or the inability to consume adequate amounts of food. For CSHCN regular measurements recorded on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or World Health Organization (WHO) growth charts may indicate trends of inadequate or excessive weight gain or growth. Some specialized growth charts are available for specific disabilities. Specialized charts can be used in conjunction with the CDC/WHO charts but the authors believe that the CDC/WHO charts are the best evaluation tools of growth, even for children with special health care needs, using the recommended measurement and plotting procedures. The specialized charts can, with careful consideration of the limitations of each individual chart, be used as an additional piece of information in the overall nutrition assessment. The previous issue has a charts.
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ASSESSMENT OF GROWTH: Part 2 Interpretation of Growth
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