Validation of growth standards and growth references: A review of literature

2021 ◽  
pp. 136749352110248
Author(s):  
Anesu Marume ◽  
Moherndran Archary ◽  
Saajida Mahomed

The World Health Organization (WHO) growth standards provide the most recognized and widely accepted way of assessing child growth. To ensure its applicability, accuracy, and reliability, studies have validated WHO growth standards against local populations and other internationally recognized growth references. We reviewed outcomes of evaluations done on WHO growth standards and assess the appropriateness of using these growth standards on a global level. We undertook a systematic quantitative review of studies published from 2011 to 2020 from multiple databases. Studies were included if they considered children aged 59 months and below and reported on validation of growth standards. There was an agreement in studies that validated WHO growth standards against international growth references of its superiority in identifying stunted, overweight, and obese children. However, they were less likely to identify underweight children. None of the studies reviewed reported similar growth trajectories to WHO standards in all indicators considered. Regional differences in child growth were observed in comparison to WHO growth standards. Adoption of regional-specific standards increases the sensitivity of identifying children with adverse nutrition outcomes.

2006 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 942-947 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercedes de Onis ◽  
Adelheid W Onyango ◽  
Elaine Borghi ◽  
Cutberto Garza ◽  
Hong Yang ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectivesTo compare growth patterns and estimates of malnutrition based on the World Health Organization (WHO) Child Growth Standards (‘the WHO standards’) and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)/WHO international growth reference (‘the NCHS reference’), and discuss implications for child health programmes.DesignSecondary analysis of longitudinal data to compare growth patterns (birth to 12 months) and data from two cross-sectional surveys to compare estimates of malnutrition among under-fives.SettingsBangladesh, Dominican Republic and a pooled sample of infants from North America and Northern Europe.SubjectsRespectively 4787, 10 381 and 226 infants and children.ResultsHealthy breast-fed infants tracked along the WHO standard's weight-for-age mean Z-score while appearing to falter on the NCHS reference from 2 months onwards. Underweight rates increased during the first six months and thereafter decreased when based on the WHO standards. For all age groups stunting rates were higher according to the WHO standards. Wasting and severe wasting were substantially higher during the first half of infancy. Thereafter, the prevalence of severe wasting continued to be 1.5 to 2.5 times that of the NCHS reference. The increase in overweight rates based on the WHO standards varied by age group, with an overall relative increase of 34%.ConclusionsThe WHO standards provide a better tool to monitor the rapid and changing rate of growth in early infancy. Their adoption will have important implications for child health with respect to the assessment of lactation performance and the adequacy of infant feeding. Population estimates of malnutrition will vary by age, growth indicator and the nutritional status of index populations.


2005 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 247-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Borghi ◽  
M. de Onis ◽  
C. Garza ◽  
J. Van den Broeck ◽  
E. A. Frongillo ◽  
...  

2013 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 258-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominique Turck ◽  
Kim F. Michaelsen ◽  
Raanan Shamir ◽  
Christian Braegger ◽  
Cristina Campoy ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasha O Moraka ◽  
Sikhulile Moyo ◽  
Christiana Smith ◽  
Maryanne Ibrahim ◽  
Gloria Mayondi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background We sought to identify predictors of child cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection overall and by maternal HIV status and to assess associations of child CMV status with growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 24 months of age in Botswana. Methods Data and samples were used from the Botswana-based observational Tshipidi study (2010–2014), enrolling pregnant women living with and without HIV and following their infants through 2 years of age. Child plasma samples were tested at 18 months of age for anti-CMV immunoglobulin G (IgG). Associations were assessed between detectable anti-CMV IgG and growth (using the World Health Organization Child Growth Standards) and neurodevelopment (using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development III and the Developmental Milestones Checklist) at 24 months of age. Results Of 317 children, 215 (68%) had detectable anti-CMV IgG at 18 months of age. Comparatively, 83% (n = 178) of HIV-unexposed uninfected (HUU) children had positive CMV serology vs 47% (n = 139) of HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) children (P < .01); 100% of HUU vs 10.5% of HEU children breastfed. Child CMV infection was not associated with weight-for-age, weight-for-length, or length-for-age z-scores at 24 months. In HUU children, CMV infection was associated with smaller head circumference (P < .01). No difference was observed by child CMV status in any neurodevelopmental domain at 24 months. Conclusions We observed high CMV seropositivity in 18-month-old children in Botswana, with higher seropositivity among breastfed (HUU) children. Positive CMV serostatus was not associated with 24-month child growth or neurodevelopmental outcomes, with the exception of smaller head circumference among HUU CMV-positive children.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 98
Author(s):  
Nafiys Hilmy ◽  
Maitsa' Fatharani

Stunting is one of the remaining health issues in Indonesia and its prevalence was still high in the last decades. There are two types of growth charts that can be used in recording the child's growth: growth standards and growth references. In recent times, the selection of the suitable growth charts has become a subject of discussion in many countries. The objective of this study is to describe the prevalence of stunting according to World Health Organization Child Growth Standards (WHOCGS) and Indonesian National Growth Reference Charts (INGRC) of children under five from the Blega sub-district. The secondary data from 2884 children were collected recapitulation of the 'Bulan Timbang' program in February 2020. Z-score of length/height-for-age was plotted according to WHOCGS and INGRC. The result showed that the prevalence of stunting were lower for the INGRC than WHOCGS (5.83% and 11.17%, with p-value <0.001). There was an advantage and disadvantage when using both two growth charts. Further research is still needed to support the result of this study. Keywords:  Stunting, World Health Organization Child Growth Standards, Indonesian National Growth Reference Charts


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