Growth Assessment for 6-Year-Old Girl: Weight 17.3 kg, Height 117.2 cm
This child's measurements place her below the 2nd percentile for both weight and height on UK WHO growth charts, indicating significant growth faltering that requires immediate pediatric evaluation for underlying causes. 1
Growth Chart Interpretation
Appropriate Chart Selection
- For children aged 6 years, UK WHO growth charts extending through age 20 years should be used, as WHO standards only apply to children under 59 months (approximately 5 years) 2
- The CDC growth charts are also appropriate for children aged 24 months and older, providing continuity through age 19 years 3
Specific Centile Assessment
- Both weight (17.3 kg) and height (117.2 cm) fall below the 2nd percentile (2.3rd percentile threshold) for a 6-year-old girl 1
- Values 2 standard deviations below the median (2.3rd percentile, labeled as 2nd percentile on growth charts) are the recommended threshold for identifying children whose growth might indicate adverse health conditions 1
Clinical Significance and Required Actions
Immediate Evaluation Needed
- Children with weight and height below the 2nd percentile should be evaluated for potential underlying causes, as this may indicate:
Comprehensive Assessment Required
- Inadequate caloric intake, chronic disease, or malabsorption should be investigated as potential causes of low weight-for-age and height-for-age 1
- Screening for chronic conditions such as celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease should be considered 1
- Family growth patterns should be evaluated to assess genetic contribution to the child's stature 1
- Endocrine disorders that may affect growth should be screened 1
Nutritional and Dietary Evaluation
- Nutritional intake and dietary patterns must be assessed to identify potential deficiencies 1
- This evaluation should occur as part of the comprehensive medical workup
Monitoring Strategy
Serial Measurements Priority
- Growth velocity, rather than a single measurement, is often more informative and should be assessed through serial measurements 1
- Regular monitoring of growth parameters (weight, height, and body mass index) is essential to track growth velocity and response to interventions 1
- More frequent evaluations are recommended for children with measurements below the 2nd percentile 1
Follow-up Intervals
- Serial measurements every 3-6 months should be plotted on appropriate growth charts to visualize trends over time 1
Critical Clinical Pitfall
Do not delay referral based on a single measurement—the fact that both weight and height are concordantly below the 2nd percentile makes this particularly concerning and warrants immediate pediatric referral rather than watchful waiting 1. Growth faltering at this severity requires prompt investigation to identify treatable causes before further developmental impact occurs.