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HUMAN GROWTH CURVE

C B Davenport1

  • 1Department of Genetics, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Cold Spring Harbor.

The Journal of General Physiology
|October 30, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Human growth is marked by two key acceleration periods: circumnatal and adolescent. These distinct growth phases, superimposed on a slower residual curve, shape overall development from conception through adulthood.

Area of Science:

  • Human biology
  • Growth and development studies
  • Biostatistics

Background:

  • Human growth exhibits complex patterns, not a single linear progression.
  • Previous models have not fully captured the distinct phases of accelerated growth.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize the primary periods of accelerated human growth.
  • To model these growth phases using statistical curves.
  • To differentiate accelerated growth from the underlying residual growth curve.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of human growth curves.
  • Application of theoretical skew curves (Pearson's Type I) and normal frequency curves for modeling.
  • Identification of modal velocities, ranges, and standard deviations for growth cycles.

Main Results:

  • Identified two major growth accelerations: circumnatal (peak at birth, skew curve) and adolescent (broader range, normal curve).
  • Circumnatal cycle: modal velocity 10.2 kg/year, range 44 months.
  • Adolescent cycle: modal velocity 4.5 kg/year, range ~10 years.
  • A residual growth curve (conception to 55 years) with low velocity (~2 kg/year) underlies these accelerations.
  • No significant third acceleration period was found between ages 3-6 years.

Conclusions:

  • Human growth is characterized by two principal, superimposed acceleration cycles: circumnatal and adolescent.
  • These cycles, along with a slower residual growth, dictate overall human weight development.
  • The underlying mechanisms of these distinct growth accelerations warrant further investigation.

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