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Evidence of saltatory growth in infancy
1Department of Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104.
Summary
Human infants exhibit pulsatile growth, not continuous. Growth occurs in rapid, short bursts (saltuses) followed by static periods, independent of illness, influencing overall growth patterns.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Human Growth and Development
- Auxology
Background:
- Continuous growth models are often assumed for early human development.
- Understanding the precise patterns of infant growth is crucial for identifying deviations and ensuring healthy development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the pattern of serial length measurements in normal infants during the first 21 months of life.
- To determine if human growth in early childhood occurs in discrete episodes or continuously.
Main Methods:
- Weekly, semi-weekly, and daily auxological (length) measurements were collected from 33 normal infants (21 females, 12 males) over 21 months.
- Analysis focused on identifying periods of measurable growth (saltuses) and intervals of no growth (stasis).
Main Results:
- All infants demonstrated episodic growth saltuses, characterized by rapid length increases (0.5-2.0 cm) over short durations (1 day to 1 week).
- These growth episodes were separated by static intervals ranging from 2 days to 2 months, with no significant association between stasis and illness.
- Individual variations in the amplitude and frequency of growth saltuses were observed.
Conclusions:
- Normal human growth in the first two years is characterized by pulsatile saltuses of significant amplitude and short duration, interspersed with static intervals.
- Variability in growth saltus amplitude and frequency likely contributes to individual differences in attained length and growth velocity.
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