pediatrics
Physical Growth of Infants and Children
Introduction
Physical growth includes attainment of full height and appropriate weight and an increase in size of all organs (except lymphatic tissue, which decreases in size). Growth from birth to adolescence occurs in 2 distinct phases: Phase 1 (from birth to about age 1 to 2 years): This phase is one of rapid growth, although the rate of growth decreases over that period. Phase 2 (from about 2 years to the onset of puberty): In this phase, growth occurs in relatively constant annual increments. Puberty is the process of physical maturation from child to adult. Adolescence defines an age group; puberty occurs during adolescence (see Physical Growth and Sexual Maturation of Adolescents ). At puberty, a second growth spurt occurs, affecting ( Reference ). (See also Failure to Thrive (FTT) in Children and 