ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICAL

GROWTH

Dr.Madhumita Bhattacharyya
MD(Paediatrics),DCH,DMCW
weight

Machines – Lever type,

beam ,electronic, spring
balance.

Weighing scale-in kilogram or

in pound it should have a
minimum unit of 100gm.

Accuracy of measurement is
important.Put the scale in a
firm surface,not in a rough
surface
Electronic weighing machine-
 Weight
• Minimal or light clothing (nude in child ) with
bare feet.
• The weighing scale should be in ‘0’before
measurement.
• The individual should stand straight with
face looking forward and hands by the side
of the body.
• Feet to be placed on the footprint part of
the machine.
 length
• Infantometer under 2yrs.
• Child is placed supine on a rigid measuring table
• The head is held firmly in position against a fixed
upright head board.
• Legs are straightened keeping feet at right angle
to legs with toes pointing upwards.
• It’s free footboard is brought into firm contact
with the child’s heels.
• Length is measured from a scale, which is set in the
measuring table.
Infantometer
 Height
• For standing height the individual stands upright,
removing footwear,headgear.

• Heels are slightly separated and weight is borne

evenly in both feet,Knees straight.

• Heels,buttocks,back are brought in contact with a

vertical surface such as wall or
or stadiometer.
 Height contd--
• Head looks directly forward in a Frankfurt plane
(the line joining floor of ext. audit.meatus to the
lower margin of orbit)and the biauricular plane
being horizontal.

• The head piece is kept firmly over the vertex to

compress the hair.

• Measurement of height is recorded in cm or in

foot/inche
Stadiometer
Body mass Index(BMI) ?
Body mass Index - wt in Kg % ht in M2

• BMI 18 - 22.9 → normal

• BMI 23- 24.9 → overwt or preobese
• BMI 25 or more → obesity
 Mid-arm circumference
• Midway between the tip of acromian process of
scapula and the olecranon of ulna is measured
when the child holds the left arm by his side
 Waist circumference
• Ideally no cloth ,but light clothing is
acceptable.

• The mid point between the highest point of

iliac crest and lower most thoracic cage in
mid-axillary line is measured.

• It indicates trunkal obesity

 Abdominal fat
• Waist circumferance-men>90cm
women>80cm.

• Grave if it is >102cm in men & 88cm

in women.
Waist Circumference
 Skin fold thickness
• Sum of measuements of 4 sites-
midtriceps,biceps,subscapularis,supra
iliac region should be less than 40mm
in boys and 50 mm in girls.

• Drawback-poor repeatability & no

existing standards for comparison
Skin Caliper
 Other measurements
• Head circumference

• Chest circumference

• Arm span

• Uppersegment,lowersegment ratio
Thank You