What is the centile for a child with a weight of 46.40 kg and a height of 150.2 cm on the UK WHO (World Health Organization) growth chart?

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Centile Assessment for a Child with Weight 46.40 kg and Height 150.2 cm on UK WHO Growth Charts

Based on the provided measurements of weight 46.40 kg and height 150.2 cm, this child falls approximately between the 75th-90th centile for weight and around the 50th-75th centile for height on the UK WHO growth charts.

Growth Chart Interpretation

  • The UK has adopted the WHO growth standards, which are based on data from international optimally nourished breastfed infants from birth to age 5 years, with CDC growth charts recommended for older children 1
  • When interpreting growth charts, values of 2 standard deviations below the median (2.3rd percentile, labeled as 2nd percentile on growth charts) or above (97.7th percentile) are recommended for identifying children whose growth might indicate adverse health conditions 1
  • The WHO growth charts set a different standard of weight gain compared to previous UK references, which affects the interpretation of measurements and classification of weight status 2

Weight Assessment

  • The weight of 46.40 kg for this child places them between the 75th-90th centile, indicating above-average but still normal weight for their height 3
  • This weight measurement should be considered in relation to the child's height to provide a more comprehensive assessment of their growth status 4
  • Regular monitoring of weight is recommended to track growth velocity and response to any interventions that might be needed 4

Height Assessment

  • The height of 150.2 cm places this child approximately between the 50th-75th centile, suggesting normal height for age 3
  • Height measurements should be plotted on growth charts over time to assess growth velocity, which is often more informative than a single measurement 4, 5
  • The correlation between current height and adult height is strong, particularly after age 4, with a standard error of prediction of 4-5 cm 6

BMI Assessment

  • Based on the weight and height provided (46.40 kg and 150.2 cm), the calculated BMI is approximately 20.6 kg/m² 3
  • This BMI value falls within the normal range, likely between the 75th-85th centile, which is considered healthy 3
  • BMI assessment is important for identifying potential weight concerns, with values above the 98th centile indicating obesity 2

Clinical Implications

  • Growth charts are intended to reflect optimal growth of children, though many children may not experience the optimal environmental, behavioral, or health conditions specified in the reference studies 4
  • Growth patterns over time using multiple data points should be used in conjunction with other medical and family history to assess appropriate growth 1
  • The UK WHO growth charts provide a standard that represents healthy growth under optimal conditions, which may differ from previous growth references 2

Important Considerations

  • Growth chart interpretation requires accurate measurement techniques, especially for recumbent length in younger children 1
  • When transitioning between different growth charts (e.g., WHO to CDC at age 2 years), there may be slight disjunctions in how a child's growth is classified 1
  • Family growth patterns should be considered when interpreting a child's measurements, as genetic factors significantly influence growth potential 4

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Guideline

Centile Assessment for a 12-Year-Old Boy

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

Guideline

Growth Assessment and Monitoring for Children with Low Weight and Height Percentiles

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

Research

Growth monitoring with the British 1990 growth reference.

Archives of disease in childhood, 1997

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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