Using the new UK-WHO growth charts

Summary points The new UK growth charts for children aged 0-4 years (designed using data from the new WHO standards) describe the optimal pattern of growth for all children, rather than the prevailing pattern in the UK (as with previous charts) The new charts are suitable for all ethnic groups and set breast feeding as the norm UK children match the new charts well for length and height, but after age 6 months fewer children will be below the 2nd centile for weight or show weight faltering, and more will be above the 98th centile The new charts look different: they have a separate preterm section, no lines between 0 and 2 weeks, and the 50th percentile is no longer emphasised The charts give clear instructions on gestational correction, and there is a new chart for infants born before 32 weeks' gestation The instructions advise on when and how to measure and when a measurement or growth pattern is outside the normal range The charts include a "look-up" tool for determining the body mass index centile from height and weight centiles without calculation and aid for predicting adult height The charts and supporting educational materials can be downloaded from www.growthcharts.rcpch.ac.uk In April 2006 the World Health Organization published a new growth standard for children aged under 5 years. 1 The United Kingdom was one of the first developed countries to adopt it, and the Department of Health commissioned the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health to design new growth charts and develop new evidence based instructions and supporting educational materials. Anyone wishing to print the charts commercially should first obtain permission from the Department of Health ( MBCrownCopyright@dh.gsi.gov.uk ) and must adhere to the Department of Health printing specification The electronic data on which the charts are based can be obtained from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health ( growthchart@RCPCH.ac.uk ) for use in any chart plotting software or growth database The instructions on the A4 chart are aimed at health professionals.