At your baby’s next checkup, the doctor will most likely size him up. That is, she will check his length, his weight, and his head circumference, then log the information into his growth chart.

About your child's growth chart

Growth charts are a standard part of well baby check ups. They provide pediatricians with an ongoing record of how your baby is developing physically. They also allow doctors to compare the measurements to national averages for children of the same age and sex to determine what percentile he is in.

For example, if your baby is in the 60th percentile for weight and 50th percentile for length, it means that 60 percent of babies his age weigh the same or less, and 50 percent of babies his age are the same length or shorter.

Where growth chart standards come from

Current growth charts are based on information from the National Center for Health Statistics. However, experts warn parents not to be too concerned about a “magic number.” As long as your baby is growing at a steady, appropriate rate (with the expected growth spurts), there is no need to worry.

Variation among children is normal

Healthy children come in all shapes and sizes, and genetics plays a large role in a child’s size. If a baby’s parents are smaller than average, having a smaller-than-average baby is not cause for alarm. Doctors interpret the growth charts in the context of the child’s overall situation.

While height and weight can vary dramatically from child to child, head circumference can provide clues about genetic or brain development. If
 a baby’s head is unusually large, it may be a sign of hydrocephalus, a buildup of fluid inside the brain or again, it may be genetic. A head
 that is smaller than average may be a sign that the brain is not developing properly or it may be that small heads run in the family.

Patterns that may indicate a health problem

Other growth chart patterns that might signal a health problem include:

  -  A drastic change in percentile state. For example, if the baby has consistently been in the 50th percentile and suddenly drops to the
 10th percentile over a period of six to 12 months.

  -  If your baby is in an extreme percentile range –- above 95 percent or below 5 percent. Sometimes these measurements are no cause for
 concern, but your doctor will want to look more closely at the reasons behind any extreme. Genetics play an important role.

  -  If your baby doesn’t grow in length at the same rate he is gaining in weight.

  -  If your baby’s head size suddenly increases or decreases drastically.
 

Source: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, www.chop.edu produced here for general information purpose only and not for seeking medical advice. Please consult your health care provider for more information.