children s health issues
Physical Growth of Infants and Children
Introduction
Physical growth refers to an increase in body size (length or height and weight) and in the size of organs. From birth to about age 1 or 2 years, children grow rapidly. After this rapid infant and early toddler growth, growth slows until the Physical Growth and Sexual Maturation of Adolescents . As growth slows, children need fewer calories and parents may notice a decrease in appetite. Two-year-old children can have very erratic eating habits that sometimes make parents anxious. Some children may seem to eat virtually nothing yet continue to grow and thrive. Actually, they usually eat little one day and then make up for it by eating more the next day. During the preschool and school years, growth in height and weight is steady. Children tend to grow a similar amount each year until the next major growth spurt occurs in early adolescence. Different organs grow at different rates. For example, the reproductive system has a brief growth spurt just after birth, then changes very little until just before Sexual Maturation (Puberty) (puberty). In contrast, the brain grows almost exclusively during the early years of life. The kidneys function at the adult level by the end of the first year. Children who are beginning to walk have an endearing physique, with the belly sticking forward and the back curved. They may also appear to be quite bow-legged. By 3 years of age, muscle tone increases and the proportion of body fat decreases, so the body begins to look leaner and more muscular. Most children are physically able to control their bowels and bladder at this time. Doctors report how children are growing in relation to other children their age and monitor the children's weight gain compared to their height. From birth until 2 years of age, doctors record all growth parameters in a chart by using standardgrowth chartsfrom the World Health Organization (WHO). After age 2, doctors record growth parameters by usinggrowth chartsfrom the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (See also Promoting Optimal Health and Development of Children and 