The size of most children (94%) falls between the 3rd and the 97th centiles. These children are regarded as having a normal (average or appropriate) size for their age and are growing well. Centile charts, therefore, indicate the range of normal growth. The range of size between the 97th and 3rd centiles is regarded as [...]
Make a mark along the bottom of the chart opposite the age of the child. Now draw an imaginary vertical line up from the mark. Similarly, make a mark opposite the child’s weight along the left or right hand side of the chart. Now draw an imaginary horizontal line from that mark. Make a dot [...]
When the infant’s size measurement falls below the 3rd centile. Children are underweight if their weight is below the 3rd centile. Similarly, children are shorter than normal if their height (length) falls below the 3rd centile. They have smaller heads than normal if their head circumference falls below the 3rd centile. 3% of normal children [...]
When the infant’s size measurement falls above the 97th centile. Children are heavier than normal if their weight is above the 97th centile. Similarly, they are taller (longer) than normal if their height (length) falls above the 97th centile. They have bigger heads than normal if their head circumference falls above the 97th centile.
Weight, height (or length), head circumference and weight-for-height can all be plotted on a centile chart. Weight is the measurement most commonly plotted on a centile chart. International centile charts are shown at the end of this unit.
Most centile charts have 7 centile lines on them, i.e. the 3rd, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th and 97th centiles. Ninety seven percent of healthy children will fall below the 97th centile. Similarly 50% of healthy children will fall below the 50th centile and 3% below the 3rd centile. Therefore, each centile indicates what percentage [...]
A centile chart is a size for age chart that is used to decide whether the size of a child falls within the normal (average) range or whether the child is larger or smaller than normal. The size of a healthy child will increase normally with age. Without knowing a child’s age, one cannot decide [...]
Yes. As a child gets older height can be plotted on the chart used before to plot length. For practical purposes, the measurement of length is the same as height.
The weight-for-height gives an idea of how fat or thin a child is. Thin children have a low weight for their height while fat children have a high weight-for-height. Often the body mass index (weight in kg divided by height in metres) is used to determine fatness or thinness.
