Height Percentile Assessment for 14-Year-Old Girl
A height of 169 cm in a 14-year-old girl places her approximately at the 75th-85th percentile on WHO/UK growth charts, indicating she is taller than average for her age. 1, 2
Growth Chart Framework for Adolescents
- The UK WHO growth charts are the recommended standard for adolescents, extending through age 20 years and serving as the primary tool for children beyond 59 months of age 1
- CDC growth charts provide an alternative framework for children aged 24 months through 19 years, offering continuity throughout adolescence 1
Interpreting This Specific Height Measurement
- At 169 cm, this 14-year-old girl is substantially above the 50th percentile (which typically falls around 160-163 cm for this age), placing her in the upper-normal range 1, 2
- This height measurement indicates she is taller than approximately 75-85% of girls her age 3, 4
- Height above the 75th percentile is considered normal variation and does not indicate any pathology unless it exceeds the 97th percentile (approximately 172-174 cm at age 14) 4
Clinical Context and Monitoring
- Serial measurements plotted over time provide far more valuable information than a single measurement for assessing growth trajectory and predicting final adult height 2, 5, 3
- A child's current height is a better predictor of adult height than mid-parental height calculations, with prediction accuracy having a standard error of 4-5 cm from age 4 years through puberty 3
- Family growth patterns should be evaluated to determine if this percentile reflects genetic potential, as mid-parental height contributes substantially to expected stature 5
Key Monitoring Considerations
- Regular monitoring every 6-12 months is recommended to track growth velocity and ensure she maintains an appropriate trajectory along her percentile curve 1, 2
- Growth velocity (the rate of height gain over time) is more informative than isolated measurements for determining if growth is proceeding normally 2, 4
- Height measurements should be assessed in conjunction with weight and BMI percentiles to evaluate proportional growth 1, 2
When to Consider Further Evaluation
- Heights exceeding the 97.7th percentile warrant evaluation for potential underlying conditions affecting growth 6, 4
- A downward crossing of percentile lines (dropping more than one centile band width) over time would indicate growth faltering requiring investigation 2, 7
- Disproportionate growth patterns (such as height at 75th percentile but weight at >95th percentile) may indicate clinical concerns requiring attention 1