Height as a Key Growth Index in the Paediatric Age Group: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Determination of height is a major component of routine growth monitoring of wellness in child welfare clinics, and it is essential to many preventive child health interventions. Monitoring a child`s height alongside weight and physical development is routinely done as part of child health care in many countries, including Nigeria. The most accurate method of determining a child’s height is to use a standard calibrated stadiometer. However, this may not always be practicable in cases of emergent illnesses like severe dehydration with shock or severe respiratory distress, the need for urgent resuscitation and restriction of patient’s movements may pose challenges to height measurement. Nelson formula has been useful for quick estimation of children’s height in such difficult situations. The accuracy of other methods of height estimation, such as the formulae involving the use of ulna bone length, hand length and even mid-parental height, has been shown to vary amongst populations. This review aimed to bring to the limelight the various methods, factors affecting height and clinical importance of height measurements as a significant growth index among paediatrics age group.