What is a Growth Chart and What is a Percentile

What is growth monitoring

Every baby has their own growth rate, and the normal range of growth is wide. To monitor growth, at each visit at the family care center (Tipat Halav) we measure weight, length (from age two, height while standing), and head circumference (until age two).

What is a growth chart

Measurement results at the family care center (Tipat Halav) are entered into a chart called a “growth chart.” The chart helps the professional staff visually track the child’s growth trend over time—both in relation to themselves (to ensure they maintain a stable growth pattern) and in relation to the general population.

In the first months, the chart’s trend is not yet expected to be stable, but over time it usually becomes more consistent.

Types of growth charts

• Weight.
• Length (until age two) and height (from age two onward).
• Head circumference (until age two).
• BMI - an index that reflects the ratio between weight and height squared.

Girls and boys: Because growth patterns differ between girls and boys, they have separate growth charts.

Preterm infants: Since preterm infants need to complete the growth stage that usually occurs in the womb, their growth charts are adjusted. Therefore, interpretation takes into account corrected age—the age the infant would have been if born at term.

What is a percentile

The position of each measurement relative to the general population is called a percentile. For example, if an infant is in the 40th percentile for weight, it means that 40% of infants the same age weigh the same or less, and 60% weigh more.

It is important to understand that this is not a “grade,” and it is acceptable to be at any percentile as long as it fits the child’s individual and family growth pattern.

Most infants fall between the 3rd and 97th percentiles, but there is no expectation that everyone will be in this range. Being above or below the “normal” range does not necessarily indicate a problem; it simply means that monitoring and consultation at the family care center are important. The professional team will review additional information such as the child’s growth trend so far, medical history, and family growth patterns, and if needed will refer for further medical evaluation.

Measuring weight at home

At the family care center, all weight measurements for growth monitoring are taken there, and additional measurements are usually not necessary. Those who wish may also take measurements at home (although they may be less accurate than those taken at the clinic), and can share the results at the next visit to the family care center.