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Measurements must be obtained and recorded accurately if they are to be
used as an effective screening tool. Stature and weight should be measured
following recommended protocols.
To illustrate the importance of accurate data, we used the case of a
5.5-year-old boy, weighing 41.5 lb with a height of 43 inches. His
calculated BMI-for-age is 15.8. When plotted on the BMI-for-age chart for
boys, his BMI is on the 50th percentile. If his height were measured or
recorded inaccurately at 42.25 (3/4-inch below his actual height of 43
inches), his BMI-for-age would be 16.3 and would fall on the 75th
percentile (orange dot). A measurement error of 3/4-inch in height
resulted in a change of 25 percentiles. In this example, the measurement
error did not cause a change in classification because growth remained
within the normal range but you see what could happen.
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