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WHO Growth Chart Training

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Using the WHO Growth Standard Charts

Transitioning from WHO to CDC Growth Charts at 2 Years of Age

WHO Weight-for-Length Chart to the CDC BMI-for-Age Chart

Moving from the WHO weight-for-length chart to the CDC BMI-for-age chart may result in a change in a child's percentile classification because of

  • Changes from one indicator to another indicator.
  • Changes from a recumbent length measurement to a standing height measurement.
  • Changes to a different cutoff value and a different reference population.

A child who is identified as being at a specific percentile when plotted on the WHO weight-for-length chart may “drop” to a lower percentile on the CDC BMI-for-age chart.
For example, a 24-month-old boy weighing 24 pounds and 4 ounces with a length of 23.25 inches is plotted between the 25th and 50th percentiles on the WHO weight-for-length chart. When plotted on the CDC BMI-for-age chart, the same boy is plotted just above the 10th percentile. Both percentile classifications are within the healthy range.

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