Growth percentiles are the most commonly used method in the United States to assess a child's size and growth patterns. Where your child's measurements fall on the growth chart is not as important as whether they continue to grow along a similar percentile. For this reason, most pediatricians track children's growth over time to see if there are significant changes in their expected growth pattern. Read the rest of this entry »

Most parents are introduced to the idea of growth charts during early visits to the pediatrician. This article is the start of a four-part series on chidlren's growth charts. The series is intended to describe how the charts were developed, how to interpret them, some of the controversy surrounding race and ethnicity, and how to track your child's growth. Read the rest of this entry »