The growth curves offerd here are for children ages birth to 36 months and for 2 to 20 years. There are separate curves for boys and girls. The curves reflect growth patterns from the 3rd to 97th percentiles, which is considered the "range of normal." Infant growth charts include curves for weight, length, and head circumference as well as comparisons of weight-for-length. MOST provides an additional link for parents to access the head circumference charts.
Parents of premature infants may want to take note of the following information on plotting the curves for very low birth weight infants. Very low birth weight (VLBW<1500 grams or 3 lbs 5 oz.) babies/children have different growth patterns and therefore were not included in making the current growth curves. When plotting the weight of premature infants on the CDC curves, it is recommended that the age be based on the adjusted age (i.e., current chronologic age minus the number of weeks premature.)
Some premature infants quickly demonstrate catch-up growth, and rather than plotting below the curve, show a trend along the lower percentiles which are in the normal range. For these children, the need to adjust the age for prematurity may be short term. For other children, the need to adjust for prematurity may last into the second year. Once again, it is important to look at the child's overall growth pattern, and not focus on the specific number or percentile. Of note, there are children with specific genetic disorders (e.g., Down Syndrome) for which there are specific growth curves.
Lisa Nalven, M.D., M.A., F.A.A.P.
MOST Medical Advisory Board
Director, Developmental Pediatrics
Valley Center for Child Development
Ridgewood, NJ
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Feel free to download these charts to help track your children's growth. (For children born at term or preterm.) If you are interested in additional charts or want to learn more about CDC charts, visit the CDC growth chart web page.
Girls
Birth - 36 Mos.
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Girls
2 - 20 Yrs
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