Growth Monitoring
A single weight tells you very little. The pattern over months tells you a great deal. Growth monitoring plots weight, height and head circumference against age, and the shape of that line is often the first sign of a problem, long before anybody feels unwell.
- Plotted on a chart, not judged by eye
- The trend matters more than any single reading
- Nutrition advice at the same visit
- Most causes are dietary and correctable
Stay
Outpatient
Duration
About 15 to 20 minutes
Anaesthesia
Not applicable
About Growth Monitoring
Children are measured against standard growth charts for their age and sex. What matters is whether a child is following their own line consistently, not whether they are above or below average. A child who has always been small and is growing steadily is usually fine. A child who was growing well and has flattened off is the one worth investigating, and that pattern is invisible without the chart.
- Following your own line matters more than being average
- A flattening line is more significant than a low reading
- Head circumference is measured in the first two years
- Most causes of poor growth are dietary and correctable
Before you read on
Everything here is general information about growth monitoring. Whether it suits you, and how it would be done in your case, is a decision for your doctor after examining you.
Your consultant's instructions always take precedence over anything written on this page.
When is it recommended?
Situations in which a doctor may suggest growth monitoring.
- Routine monitoring in infancy and early childhood
- Poor weight gain or weight loss
- A child who seems shorter than their peers
- Feeding difficulty or fussy eating
- Follow-up after prematurity or illness
- Concerns about puberty timing
Procedure details
The usual sequence, from first consultation through to follow-up.
Measurement
Weight, height or length, and head circumference in the first two years, taken carefully with proper equipment.
Plotting
Measurements are plotted on a growth chart alongside all previous readings, which is what shows the trend.
Assessment
The pattern is reviewed alongside diet, illness history and family height. Blood tests are arranged only if the pattern warrants it.
Plan
Usually dietary advice and a review in a few months. Where the chart suggests a cause, the relevant investigations follow.
How to prepare
What to sort out before you come in.
- Bring every previous growth record you have, as the trend is the point
- Note what the child eats in a typical day, honestly
- Bring the immunisation card, which often has early measurements on it
- Note the height of both parents, as it influences expected growth
- Dress the child in light clothing for accurate weighing
Recovery
What to expect afterwards, and roughly when.
- Dietary changes take weeks to show on a chart, so patience is needed
- Keep the follow-up appointment even if the child seems fine, as the trend is what is being watched
- Offer food at regular times rather than continuous snacking, which suppresses appetite
- Report any illness, vomiting or diarrhoea between visits
- A repeat measurement is usually arranged in two to three months
Why choose Humayun for growth monitoring
Growth problems are found in the shape of a line, which only exists if somebody keeps plotting it.
- Measurements plotted at every visit, so the trend exists when it is needed
- Dietitians on site for the majority of cases where the cause is nutritional
- Investigations arranged only where the chart genuinely warrants them
- The same paediatrician following the child, so the pattern is recognised
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