Growth Charts

Board takeaway

• Plot: Use these sex-specific charts to plot stature and weight against age from 2 through 20 years and record measurements over time.
• Check units and the correct curve before interpreting a percentile.
• Limits: The BMI field permits calculation and recording; these pages do not contain BMI-for-age curves or diagnostic and referral thresholds.

Choose and read the chart

• Locate age in years and use the appropriate stature or weight scale.
• Stature scales show centimeters and inches; weight scales show kilograms and pounds.
• Both sets of curves label the 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, and 95th percentiles. These labels are reference curves, not source-defined intervention thresholds.

Record measurements

• Identify the patient by name and record number.
• Fields include maternal and paternal stature, plus dated entries for age, weight, stature, and BMI.
• Practical chart-use reminder: keep units explicit and distinguish the stature plot from the weight plot when documenting measurements.

BMI calculation field

• Metric: BMI = weight (kg) ÷ stature (cm)² × 10,000.
• US customary: BMI = weight (lb) ÷ stature (in)² × 703.
• The forms provide a calculation and recording field, but no BMI-for-age percentile curves or BMI classification cutoffs.

Common board traps

Answer aloud

What can the AAPD growth charts document, and what needs separate guidance?

Plot stature and weight against age on the appropriate girls' or boys' chart for ages 2–20.

• Record identifiers, parental stature, and dated age, weight, stature, and calculated BMI.
• Keep centimeters/inches and kilograms/pounds explicit; read the correct curve.
• These forms do not include BMI-for-age curves, obesity cutoffs, or referral instructions.

How is BMI calculated on these growth-chart forms?

Use either metric or US customary units consistently.

• The calculation field records BMI; a separate BMI-for-age chart is needed to assign its pediatric percentile.