Growth charts, "curative" or "preventive"?

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Global Health
• Child Development

Background:

• Growth charts are essential tools for monitoring child development.
• Existing growth charts in industrialized countries have different objectives than those needed in developing nations.
• The Harvard weight standard has been a common reference, but alternatives are being explored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a growth chart widely adopted in developing countries.
• To highlight the differing objectives of this chart compared to those used in industrialized nations.
• To introduce alternative weight standards recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Main Methods:

• Description of a newly adopted growth chart for developing countries.
• Adoption of alternative weight standards suggested by a WHO Working Party.
• Inclusion of -3 and -4 standard deviations on plastic overlays for practical use.

Main Results:

• A growth chart utilizing WHO weight standards is becoming prevalent in developing countries.
• The objectives of this chart are tailored to the specific needs of developing regions.
• Standard deviation overlays (-3 and -4) are available for enhanced usability.

Conclusions:

• The described growth chart offers a valuable tool for child health monitoring in developing countries.
• The adoption of WHO weight standards aligns with global health recommendations.
• The availability of standard deviation overlays facilitates accurate growth assessment.