The data used to generate the percentiles in this app were collected from the original sources. Rather than just doing an inaccurate linear interpolation from the tabulated data, we use the same LMS distribution equations that were used to generate the original tables in order to provide accurate percentiles for any measurement at any percentile. The app contains the curves and age ranges listed below.
WHO
The
WHO curves are a combination of the 2006 international growth standard for breastfed babies (0-5 years) and the 2007
standard for older children (5-19 years). The WHO curves are usually the best choice for babies.
| Weight |
0 - 10 years |
| Height |
0 - 19 years |
| Head Circumference |
0 - 5 years |
| Weight vs. Height |
45 - 120 cm |
| BMI |
0 - 19 years |
CDC
The
CDC curves are a 2000 growth reference based on a mix of breastfed and formula-fed babies in the US.
Doctors in the US usually switch to this curve at age 2. The WHO-CDC combo chart uses the WHO charts up to age 2 and the CDC charts above that.
| Weight |
0 - 20 years |
| Height |
0 - 20 years |
| Head Circumference |
0 - 3 years |
| Weight vs. Height |
45 - 121.5 cm |
| BMI |
2 - 20 years |
UK90
The
UK90 curves are a 1990 growth reference based on a mix of breastfed and formula-fed babies in the UK.
Doctors in the UK usually switch to this curve at age 4. The WHO-UK90 combo chart uses the WHO charts up to age 4 and the UK90 charts above that. The data used to generate these curves is copyright UKRI,
used with permission. Due to licensing restrictions these curves are only available in the pro version of the app.
| Weight |
0 - 23 years |
| Height |
0 - 23 years |
| Head Circumference |
0 - 17 years |
| BMI |
0 - 23 years |
IAP
The
IAP curves are a 2015 growth reference by Khadilkar et al. for Indian children.
The Indian Academy of Pediatrics recommends switching from WHO to this curve at 5 years old. The WHO-IAP combo chart uses the WHO charts up to age 5 and the IAP charts above that.
| Weight |
5 - 18 years |
| Height |
5 - 18 years |
| BMI |
5 - 18 years |
Chinese
The
Chinese curves are a 2013 growth reference by Xong and Li based on children from several different regions in China.
| Weight |
0 - 18 years |
| Height |
0 - 18 years |
| Head Circumference |
0 - 6 years |
| Weight vs. Height |
45 - 125 cm |
| BMI |
0 - 18 years |
Pre-Term (Fenton)
The
Fenton curves are a 2013 growth reference for premature infants.
These charts are measured in gestational age and go from 24 to 48 weeks. The Preterm-WHO combo chart uses the Fenton curves up to a gestational age of 48 weeks, and the WHO curves above that.
| Weight |
24 - 48 gestational weeks |
| Height |
24 - 48 gestational weeks |
| Head Circumference |
24 - 48 gestational weeks |
Swedish
The Swedish curves are a combination of the 2008 growth curves by
Niklasson et al. and the 2002 curves by
Wilkland et al. and cover from
24 weeks gestational age through 18 years old.
| Weight |
24 gestational weeks to 18 years old |
| Height |
24 gestational weeks to 18 years old |
| Head Circumference |
24 gestational weeks to 4 years old |
Spanish
The
Spanish curves are the 2011 curves from the Faustino Orbegozo Foundation in Spain. All the Spanish curves cover from birth through 18 years old.
| Weight |
0 - 18 years old |
| Height |
0 - 18 years old |
| Head Circumference |
0 - 18 years old |
| BMI |
0 - 18 years old |
German (Coming soon)
The German curves are the 2001
Kromeyer-Hauschild curves for weight, height, and BMI and the newer 2017
KiGGS curve for head circumference. All the German curves cover from birth through 18 years old.
| Weight |
0 - 18 years old |
| Height |
0 - 18 years old |
| Head Circumference |
0 - 18 years old |
| BMI |
0 - 18 years old |
Down Syndrome
The
Down Syndrome curves are the CDC curves for children with Down Syndrome, based on the 2015 publication by Zemel et al.
| Weight |
0 - 20 years old |
| Height |
0 - 20 years old |
| Head Circumference |
0 - 20 years old |
| Weight vs. Height |
52 - 90 cm (girls), and 49 - 93 cm (boys) |
| BMI |
2 - 20 years old |
Notes
A Note on Height: You will see a small jump in any of the height-based curves (height, weight vs. height, and BMI) at around age 2. This is because the curves switch from using recumbent length (laying down) to using stature (standing height) and stature is on average slightly different from recumbent length. The difference is small (less than 1 cm) but it is real (CDC explanation here), not a glitch in the app or the data sets.
A Note on Weight: The WHO weight vs. age data set only goes to 10 years of age (see complete explanation here). The stated reason for this is quoted below. Above the age of 10, using BMI is recommended instead of just weight as a more accurate measure of health.
Weight-for-age reference data are not available beyond age 10 because this indicator does not distinguish between height and body mass in an age period where many children are experiencing the pubertal growth spurt and may appear as having excess weight (by weight-for-age) when in fact they are just tall.
