Which two growth measures are routinely tracked on pediatric growth charts?

• A. Blood pressure and heart rate
• B. Weight-for-age and height-for-age (length-for-age for infants)
• C. Head circumference and chest circumference
• D. Skinfold thickness and BMI percentile

Answer: (B)

Tracking growth over time uses measurements that reflect overall growth and nutritional status. The two routinely plotted on pediatric growth charts are weight-for-age and height-for-age (length-for-age for infants). Weight-for-age helps identify whether a child is underweight or overweight for their age, while height-for-age shows how linear growth is progressing and can reveal stunting or delayed growth. Head circumference is important in infancy for brain growth but isn’t the primary growth chart measurement used across childhood. BMI percentile is useful for assessing adiposity, especially in school-age children, but it is typically plotted on a separate BMI-for-age chart rather than the standard weight-for-age and height-for-age charts.