Pediatricians use a specific growth chart to keep track and standardize the so-called normal growth in kids. It is recommended that you discuss with your pediatrician the growth chart during your well-child visits. The proper functioning of growth hormones is essential for steady and normal growth in children. Therefore, if you notice that your child stops growing or is not growing as much as you would expect, it’s best to talk to your pediatrician to see if they would benefit from the evaluation by a hormone specialist.
The Importance of Growth Tracking
Monitoring your child’s growth rate is a great way to tell whether their development is considered normal. A child’s risk of being overweight or developing obesity is higher if their weight increases at a faster rate than their height. If, however, your child’s weight gain is not proportional to their height, the pediatrician may have to investigate potential reasons why. In the case you have concerns with your child’s growth pattern, including both their weight and height, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at the Pediatric Endocrine and Metabolic Center of Florida.
Genes, chronic illness, and environmental factors like diet and exercise all have a role in how fast the kids grow and how tall they are. Children with celiac disease or Down syndrome may be noticeably shorter than other kids their age, while those with Marfan syndrome may be noticeably taller. In addition to genetics, lifestyle factors, including eating habits and exercise routines, significantly impact weight and height increase.
What Measurements to Focus on?
Head circumference, height, body mass index (BMI), and weight are all used to measure a child’s development. Despite the fact that every child has a unique build, tracking your child’s physical development over time might provide clues as to whether or not they are progressing normally for their age.
Weight
In terms of weight, keep in mind the following guidelines:
- At around two weeks, the newborn should be at their birth weight and then monthly start gaining about two pounds
- At around three months, kids should gain a monthly weight of about a pound
- At around six months of age, kids should weigh double what they weighed at birth
- When they’re one year old, children should weigh three times more than at birth and during the year, gain about three to five pounds
- Between the ages of two and five, children should steadily gain around five pounds a year
- At around nine to ten years of age, kids are approaching adolescence, which triggers kids’ growth spurts and weight gain at about ten pounds per year
Parents should monitor their child’s weight gain to ensure that the kids aren’t gaining too much or too little during a specific time period.
Height
When height is concerned, keep in mind the following ranges for measurements:
- One-year-old – between 27 and 32 inches
- Two years old – between 31 and 37 inches
- Three years old – between 35 and 40.5 inches
- Around four years old – between 37 and 43 inches
- Six years old – between 42 and 49 inches
- Eight years old – between 47 and 54 inches
- Ten years old – between 50 and 59 inches
BMI
A person’s body mass index (BMI) can be used as a rough indicator of whether or not they are at a healthy weight. Children over two years of age have BMIs as part of the World Health Organization growth charts. Pediatricians and parents can use the BMI growth chart to determine if a child’s weight is considered healthy for their height. There are also plenty of BMI calculators online.
Head Circumference
The pediatrician will measure your child’s head circumference until the age of 2 to see whether there has been any change, as this indicates brain development. There may be a medical problem that has to be addressed if the kid’s head is abnormally small or large. In general, the head circumference growth rates are as follows:
- Birth – between 30 and 38 cm
- Six months old – between 38 and 47 cm
- One-year-old – between 40 and 50 cm
- Two years old – between 43 and 52 cm
Percentile and Growth Rate
Your child’s growth rate is more essential than their percentile on the chart. Your child’s pediatrician will check to see if they maintain a steady growth percentile. This can be a guide for when children stop growing or go through kids growth spurts.
Despite the appearance of smooth arcs on growth charts, children do not develop at the same rate. Growth hormones work more during specific ages. Most females experience puberty between the ages of eight and 13, and most boys between the ages of nine and 15.
Tracking How Fast Kids Grow
Every six months, measure your child’s weight and height and record the results on a home growth chart. Measure your child regularly to make sure they are keeping up with their growth curve.
To determine what percentile your child falls into, consult a copy of the growth chart from your child’s pediatrician’s office and compare the markings there to the percentiles given.
You can teach your child to love and embrace their body no matter where they land on the growth chart. Your child’s self-esteem may take a hit if they are teased at school due to a size difference compared to their friends.
If you have more than one child, it’s important to remember that you shouldn’t evaluate your child’s development in relation to their peers or siblings. Look past the physical appearance and emphasize mental and moral characteristics instead. Regardless of their physical build, this can help children develop a more positive sense of themselves.
Contact the doctor if you believe your children have stopped growing or notice the following situations:
- When their development deviates from the steady curve, it has been on for a while
- In comparison to other kids their age, they are visibly undersized, and heredity is not the cause
- When they turn three years old, their annual rate of growth slows below 5cm or 2 inches per year.
You should keep in mind that the mentioned ranges are only suggestions and guidelines. Your child’s growth rate could be somewhat higher or lower than the charted estimates. If you have any concerns about your child not growing properly, be that too much or too little, feel free to contact us at the Pediatric Endocrine and Metabolic Center of Florida (PEMC).