growth charts and their uses Flashcards
why do we monitor growth in the public health setting
gives us info on the general health, nutrition and well-being of the population.
why do we monitor growth in clinical practice
To assess their overall health and nutrition
- > To diagnose diseases that present as poor growth
- > Allows to monitor disease and how the child is responding to treatment
how do we monitor growth of an individual
monitor:
- Weight
- Height (length if under 2yrs)
- Head circumference (tells us about brain growth)
what does a growth chart show
displays the normal range of measurements for children of all ages
how does ethnicity affect normal growth
south Asian populations are smaller and thinner, whereas western Caucasians tend to be larger and taller
this is normal bc it is due to genetics
how does social class affect growth
likely due to nutritional in origin, but this is not normal as a child potential growth has been altered
what is height velocity
speed at which height is gained
what may affect growth
- nutrition (most important factor perinatally)
- genetics
- hormones
what is meant by faltering growth
term used in young children whose weight is crossing down the centiles, we take notice if someone crosses 2 or more centiles
USED to be called failure to thrive
what is meant by short stature
- Term used to describe a short child (over age of 1) who is not meeting their height potential
what is meant by underweight
- Term used for thin older children who have a BMI less than the 2nd centile (BMI centile) for age and gender
what is meant by overweight
- Term used to describe a child who has a BMI above the 91st centile for age and gender
what is meant by obese
Term used to describe a child who has a BMI above the 98th centile for age and gender
