Growth charts are essential tools in monitoring the growth and development of children. These charts typically display the percentile curves of height, weight, and other measurements based on age and gender.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is one organization that provides growth charts for girls from birth to 19 years old.

Background on WHO Growth Charts

The WHO growth charts were developed based on a comprehensive study that involved over 8,000 children from Brazil, Ghana, India, Norway, Oman and the United States of America.

The study, conducted between 1997 and 2003, aimed to create growth charts that reflected the growth and development patterns of children from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.

WHO Growth Charts for Girls

For girls, the WHO growth charts start from birth up to 19 years old. The charts measure the following factors:.

Weight-for-age
Height-for-age
Weight-for-Height
Body Mass Index-for-age

How to Interpret WHO Girls Growth Charts

The graphs use a percentile ranking system; this means that if a girl’s measurements fall on the 50th percentile curve, she is growing at an average rate compared with other girls her age.

If her measurements fall on the 75th percentile curve, it means that her growth is faster than 75% of girls her age. Conversely, if her measurements fall on the 25th percentile curve, it means that her growth is slower than 75% of girls her age.

Why Use WHO Girls Growth Charts?

There are several reasons why doctors and healthcare professionals use WHO girls growth charts when monitoring a girl’s growth and development. Below are some of the benefits of using these charts:.

They are based on up-to-date research and extensive data collected from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.
They are a universal standard, meaning that they are used worldwide and recognized by various health organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States and the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK.
They provide accurate information that can help identify children at risk of malnutrition or obesity.
They allow healthcare providers to track a girl’s growth over time and identify potential health problems, such as growth hormone deficiency or thyroid disorders.

When to Use WHO Girls Growth Charts

The WHO girls growth charts are typically used during routine check-ups with a healthcare provider. During these visits, the doctor or nurse will measure the girl’s height, weight, and other necessary measurements and plot them on the appropriate chart.

Parents can also use these charts to monitor their child’s growth and development at home.

Limitations of WHO Girls Growth Charts

Although WHO growth charts are widely used and recognized by various health organizations, they do have some limitations. These include:.

The charts may not be appropriate for children with underlying health conditions, such as genetic disorders or conditions that affect growth and development.
The charts do not take into account diverse growth and development patterns that may be unique to different ethnic groups.
The charts do not reflect the growth and development patterns of preterm or low birth weight babies.

Conclusion

Girls’ growth charts are an essential tool in monitoring the growth and development of children. The World Health Organization provides universal standards for girls’ growth and development with their growth charts.

These charts are accurate, up-to-date, and based on extensive research. Healthcare providers and parents can use these charts to track girls’ growth and identify potential health problems. While these charts have limitations, they remain a useful tool for assessing girls’ growth and development over time.