Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 26, 2026
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Body parameters of Czech breastfed children compared to the Czech references and WHO growth standards
Jitka Riedlová1, Jana Vignerová2, Markéta Paulová3
1a Department of Anatomy, Third Faculty of Medicine , Charles University , Prague , Czech Republic.
Insights
Czech national growth references are more suitable for breastfed infants than WHO standards, ensuring accurate interpretation of growth charts and appropriate infant feeding practices.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Child Growth and Development
- Public Health Nutrition
Background:
- Growth charts for breastfed infants show distinct patterns, particularly in early life.
- Misinterpreting these curves can lead to inappropriate feeding interventions.
- This study compares Czech breastfed children's growth data against national and international standards.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare four body parameters of Czech breastfed children with current Czech national references and WHO growth standards.
- To guide Czech pediatricians in selecting appropriate growth references for clinical practice.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of length-for-age, head circumference-for-age, weight-for-age, and weight-for-length in 960 breastfed infants.
- Comparison of all percentile curves and evaluation of 50th percentile z-scores against both reference systems.
Main Results:
- Growth patterns of breastfed children are confirmed to be specific.
- Percentile curves for Czech breastfed children align more closely with Czech national references than WHO standards.
Conclusions:
- Czech national references adequately meet the needs of pediatricians, acknowledging the unique growth characteristics of breastfed infants.
- WHO standards are recommended primarily for international comparative analyses.
Background:
The study concerns the comparison of percentile curves of Czech breastfed children with Czech national references from 1991 and 2001 and WHO growth standards. Growth charts of breastfed children demonstrate different curve shapes, especially in the first months of life. Incorrect interpretation of the growth curve could lead to premature introduction of complementary foods or infant formula.
Aim:
The comparison of four body parameters of Czech breastfed children with currently used Czech national references and WHO standards in order to recommend that Czech paediatricians use either Czech references or WHO standards in their practice.
Subjects And Methods:
Nine hundred and sixty breastfed children were included in the study of length-for-age, head circumference-for-age, weight-for-age and weight-for-length parameters. All percentile curves were compared. Values of the 50th percentile expressed in z-scores based on both Czech references and WHO standards were tested.
Results:
The study confirmed results of previous surveys documenting that growth of breastfed children is specific. Nevertheless, percentile curves of growth parameters of Czech breastfed children are closer to Czech references than WHO standards.
Conclusions:
The Czech national references fulfil the needs of Czech paediatricians (with pointing to specifics of breastfed child growth) and WHO standards are suitable, especially for international comparison.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:27Signs of Puberty
01:10Nature and Nurture
01:29Oxygen Requirements and Growth Patterns
01:11Normal Distribution
02:32Variation: Normal Distribution, Range, and Standard Deviation
01:23Methods of Documentation V: CBE
In CBE, healthcare professionals establish predefined standards of practice that define what constitutes...