Growth Assessment for 8-Year-Old Boy
Based on the provided measurements (weight 24 kg, height 136.6 cm), this 8-year-old boy's weight is approximately at the 25th-50th percentile and his height is well above the 97th percentile (approximately 99th percentile) according to UK WHO growth standards, indicating he is very tall for his age but relatively lean for his height. 1
Growth Chart Interpretation
- For children aged 2-19 years, including this 8-year-old, CDC growth charts are recommended for clinical use in the UK context, which has adopted WHO standards for younger children 1, 2
- Height measurements should be plotted on appropriate CDC growth charts to track growth patterns and identify potential growth abnormalities 1
- The child's height of 136.6 cm places him significantly above the 97th percentile for 8-year-old boys, indicating exceptional height for age 1
Weight-for-Height Assessment
- The child's weight of 24 kg appears relatively low given his exceptional height of 136.6 cm, suggesting a lean body habitus rather than underweight status 1
- BMI should be calculated (weight in kg divided by height in meters squared) and plotted on age-appropriate BMI-for-age charts, with normal range between the 5th and 85th percentiles 2
- For this child: BMI = 24 / (1.366)² = approximately 12.9 kg/m², which would likely fall below the 25th percentile, indicating a lean build 2
Clinical Considerations
- Height is moderately correlated with adiposity in children (r ≈ 0.3), and taller children are often preferentially classified differently on BMI charts, which is appropriate because height and adiposity are correlated before age 12 years 3
- Serial measurements every 3-6 months are crucial to track weight trajectory and growth velocity, as growth patterns over time are more informative than single measurements 1
- Values of 2 standard deviations below the median (2nd percentile) are recommended for identifying children whose growth might indicate adverse health conditions 1
Recommended Actions
- Plot both weight-for-age and height-for-age on CDC growth charts to visualize the child's position relative to population norms 1
- Calculate and plot BMI-for-age to assess whether the weight is appropriate for the child's exceptional height 2
- Evaluate family growth patterns to assess genetic contribution to the child's tall stature 1
- Monitor growth velocity through serial measurements rather than relying on this single assessment 1
- If weight-for-height or BMI-for-age falls below the 5th percentile, assess nutritional intake and dietary patterns to identify potential deficiencies 1, 2