Which growth chart reference is used for children under 2 years?

• A. WHO growth charts.
• B. CDC growth charts.
• C. National Growth charts.
• D. No growth charts used.

Answer: (A)

Growth assessment in infancy uses the WHO growth charts because they provide international standards for how healthy infants and toddlers should grow from birth up to about 2 years under optimal nutrition and health conditions. These charts track measurements like weight-for-length and length-for-age (along with head circumference-for-age) to identify early signs of undernutrition, overweight, or growth faltering in the first years of life. For children aged 2 years and older, the US CDC growth charts are used, since they reflect growth patterns more representative of older children in the United States. National Growth charts aren’t the standard reference in typical practice, and saying no growth charts are used would overlook this essential tool for monitoring pediatric growth.