It’s normal for parents to be concerned about their child’s growth and worry about ensuring their loved one is meeting all developmental milestones. One of the tools that can help with tracking their development is a growth chart. It allows you to measure your child’s growth as compared to other children of the same age.
Reading a growth chart is not always simple, however. Sometimes, the numbers and percentiles you may see on the chart could even lead to further worry. Learn more about what the percentiles mean and when it may be time to reach out to a pediatric endocrinology expert.
What Is a Growth Chart?
A growth chart is a visual tool that can help doctors and parents track a child’s height, weight, and head size over time. It compares that data against the average percentiles for their gender and age.
A growth chart has percentile lines. These are curved lines that show where your child stands compared to others of the same age. Doctors rely on these tools to get an overall pattern of your child’s development. The goal is to see steady and consistent growth over a period of time.
Spikes or drops can happen as your child moves from infancy to childhood and then to adolescence. Most of the time, the percentiles that are outliers do not point to health issues.
Are There Differences in Charts?
There are growth charts for different stages of your child’s life. Charts for babies up to 36 months will measure weight, length, and head circumference.
For children who are two and older, there is no more head measuring. The focus is placed on height, weight, and body mass index.
Growth charts for teens provide information on how a teen is growing as they go through puberty. Rapid weight and height changes are expected, but it’s still essential to keep a close eye on these numbers to spot potential pediatric endocrinology problems that could be addressed by a specialist.
Choosing and Reading a Growth Chart
Most pediatricians in the United States rely on the growth charts from the CDC. Make sure to choose the right one for your child’s gender, since that will make a significant difference.
To read a growth chart, zero in on what information you would like to find. If you want to know your child’s weight percentile for their age, you will have to find your child’s age on the chart. This is typically listed at the bottom or top of the chart.
Next, locate the measurement you’re interested in. This is typically on the sides of the chart.
Draw two imaginary lines from both pertinent points on the chart and see where they meet. That is your child’s data point. Look at the closest curved line to that point and follow it to the end. The number at the end is your child’s percentile.
Understanding Percentiles
Percentiles in a growth chart show how your child compares to other children of the same age. For example, if your child is in the 55th percentile in weight, it means they weigh more than 55% of children in the same age bracket.
This number can sometimes scare parents, especially when the percentiles are very high or very low. Keep in mind that the most important thing is not to see one or two extreme points, but to see a steady growth over time.
It’s also vital to know that there is no ideal percentile your child can be in. Children can be healthy and thriving across all percentiles.
When to Pay Attention to the Percentile
A child who is not growing as they should be can benefit from a visit to a pediatric endocrinologist, but it’s not always easy to know when to ask for a referral. What you see in the growth chart can offer some insight into whether your child needs further assessments.
One of the things to watch for is if the percentile for a particular measurement suddenly drops or spikes. It can occur during puberty, but it still should be monitored. If the jumps continue, seeing a specialist may be the next step.
If there are discrepancies between height and weight percentiles, that could require further consideration. An example would be if your child is in the 95th percentile for height but in the 5th for weight.
The same is the case if your child’s height or weight trends downward, or if you have concerns about overall health issues like fatigue. For infants, abnormal head circumference growth is another sign to speak with a professional.
Consider your child’s overall health. Are they active and behaving as they normally do, or have there been changes in their behavior? It’s never just about the number on the growth chart.
How a Pediatric Endocrinology Expert Can Help
If you’re concerned about your child’s growth, an endocrinologist could provide the answers you need. These are medical professionals who address issues involving hormones and glands in infants, children, and teens. They can diagnose, treat, and manage metabolic, hormonal, and growth disorders.
They can assist with children struggling with:
- Diabetes
- Hypoglycemia
- Short stature
- Failure to thrive
- Excessive growth
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypothyroidism
- Hormonal obesity
- Adolescent issues
- Delayed puberty
- Precocious puberty
- Adrenal and pituitary disorders
- Bone metabolism problems
Pediatric endocrinologists can also assist with genetic syndromes, such as Down or Turner syndrome.
Getting Trusted Pediatric Care
If you have noticed signs of health issues in your child or there have been significant discrepancies in their growth chart, speaking with a pediatrician is vital. They can help you understand whether a specialist is needed and can refer you to the right person when appropriate.
At Newport Children’s Medical Group, we offer assistance with all aspects of pediatric care. Whether you’re seeking pediatric pulmonary services or a general pediatrician you and your loved ones can depend on, we can help. Contact our team at Newport Children’s Medical Group to schedule a consultation with one of our doctors.