Growth Charts

Growth charts are used to compare your child’s height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) against children of the same age. These charts were developed from information gained by measuring and weighing thousands of children. From these numbers, the national average weight and height for each age and gender were established. The lines or curves on growth charts tell how many other children in India weigh a certain amount at a certain age. For example, the weight on the 50th percentile line means that one half of the children in India weigh more than that number and one half of the children weigh less. 

Some changes to your child’s growth chart may need a consult with your doctor:

• When one of your child’s measurements stays below the 10th percentile or above the 90th percentile for their age.
• When your child’s measurement does not stay close to one line on the graph. For example, a provider may worry if a 6-month-old was in the 75th percentile, but then moved to the 25th percentile at 9 months, and dropped even lower at 12 months.