Euro-Growth references on increments in length, weight, and head and arm circumferences during the first 3 years of life. Euro-Growth Study Group.
BACKGROUND
Reliable assessment of growth performance of infants and young children requires reference data increments. Available increment references are based on data fitted to mathematical models, a process that diminishes variation in increment values.


METHODS
Fully longitudinal data from the multicenter Euro-Growth Study (21 study sites: n = 2145 children) were used to develop sex-specific percentiles for increments in length, weight, and head and mid-upper arm circumferences for selected intervals during the first 36 months of life. Increments (per unit of time) were calculated for 2-, 3- and 6-month intervals from birth to 12 months of age and for 6-month intervals from 12 to 36 months of age. Weight increments were also calculated for 1-month intervals from birth to 6 months of age. The influence of sex, mid-parental height, and study site was determined using analysis of covariance. Comparison with other references was accomplished using percentile values.


RESULTS
Mean and standard deviation values as well as selected percentiles (P; P3, P5, P10, P25, P50, P75, P90, P95, and P97) of increments are presented. Length increments of boys were higher than those of girls until 5 months of age but tended to be lower thereafter. Weight increments of boys were higher until 9 months of age. Sex, mid-parental height, and study site explained only between 2% and 13% of the variances of increments. Mean increments were comparable but P10 and P90 substantially differed from published data.


CONCLUSIONS
The new Euro-Growth references for increments in length, weight, and head and mid-upper arm circumferences provide tools for health workers that should be useful in screening for adequacy of growth during the first 3 years of life.
van't Hof
M A
MA
Department of Medical Statistics, Nijmegen University, The Netherlands.
Haschke
F
F
Darvay
S
S
D000367:Age Factors; D000886:Anthropometry; D001132:Arm / Q000254:growth & development*; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth; D006257:Head / Q000254:growth & development*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013997:Time Factors