Anthropometry
Growth increments,the difference
between initial and follow-up
measurements,reflect recent
growth rate(growth velocity) and
are sensitive indicators of health
and development,
The trends revealed through serial
anthropometric data can be used
to track the growth of an
individual child,detect growth
abnormalities,monitor nutritional
status,and evaluate the effect of
nutritional intervention or the
treatment of disease.
Measurement of growth may
also be used as an index of the
general health and nutrition of
a population or subpopulation
of children.
Key points
?Serial measurement
(longitudinal data)
?Training personnel
?Be made accurately
?To be recorded
Indicators of measurement
Chest circumference
Weight
Height (Length)
Sitting height
Head circumference
Weight measurement
Instruments
Balance beam scale
Pan-type pediatric scale
Platform beam scaleChair -type pediatric scale
upright scale
The choice of Balance beam scales
Age Beam scale Maximum(kg) Accurate(kg)
<1 10～ 15 0.01
1～ 3 Chair-type 20～ 30 0.05
3～ 7 Platform 50 0.1
>7 Platform 100 0.1
Pan-type
Techniques
Calibrated balance beam scale,
Checking and adjustment of the zero
weight on the beam
The weight of the pad or diaper will
be subtracted from the weight of the infant
Be performed in the morning after
toilet time and before the morning meal.
Notes the circumstance of measurement
Height measurement
Instruments
Length-measuring device
movable footboard
table surface
fixed headboard
a fixed measuring tape marked in millimeters with
its zero end at the edge of the headboard
Measuring board
for standing height
A guide for right-angle
headboard
(or nonstretchable tape)
Techniques
Recumbent length is measured for
children younger than 36 months of age
who cannot stand unassisted,
Tow people are required to measure an
infant’s length,
One person stands at the head of the table and
holds the infant’s head so the infant is looking
vertically upward,with the crown of the head
placed firmly against the headboard,
< 3 years of age
Key points,hold
firmly against the headboard
The another person straighten the infant’s
legs,holds the feet with toe pointed directly
up,move the footboard firmly against the feet,
then reads the measurement indicated by the
position of the footboard(the nearest 0.1cm).
Key points,straighten the infant’s legs
holds the feet with toe pointed directly up
over 3 years of age
Underclothes
Shoulders relaxed
Legs straight
Heels close together
Arms at the sides
Stand with bare heels
(the nearest 0.1cm)
Sitting height
SEGMENTAL MEASUREMENTS
The ratio of upper to lower segment
< 3 years of age
over 3 years of age
Instruments
Measuring board
with a chairs for
sitting height
Techniques
One person stands at the head of the table and
holds the infant’s head so the infant is looking
vertically upward,with the crown of the head
placed firmly against the headboard,
The another person holds the infant’s knees to
made the shanks parallel the table surface,move
the footboard firmly against the buttocks,then
reads it (the nearest 0.1cm).
over 3 years of age
Shoulders relaxed
Thighs parallel the ground
Heels close together
Arms at the sides
Sit tight
(the nearest 0.1cm)
Shanks with the thighs
perpendicularly
Measurement of
Head circumference
H.C measurement is an
important screening procedure
to detect abnormalities of
heard growth,which usually
are due to nonnutritional
factors,
Head circumference should be
measured routinely in infants
and children until they are 36
months of age,
Instruments
Flexible,nonstretchable measuring
paper or plastic tape
Techniques
The circumference of the child’s
head at its largest area
The measurer positions the lower edge
of the tape just above the eye-brows,
above the ears,and around the
occipital prominence at the back of the
head, The tape should be pulled snug
to compress the hair.
Measurement of Chest circumference
Represents the development of lungs and chest
At birth,chest circumference is
slightly smaller than head
circumference,about 1-2 cm,less.
By the end of first year,chest
circumference is nearly equal to
head circumference,gradually the
chest development is quicker than
the head growth.
Instruments
Paper or plastic tape
The circumference from the nipple
to the shoulders angle.
nipple shoulders angle
Techniques
Growth increments,the difference
between initial and follow-up
measurements,reflect recent
growth rate(growth velocity) and
are sensitive indicators of health
and development,
The trends revealed through serial
anthropometric data can be used
to track the growth of an
individual child,detect growth
abnormalities,monitor nutritional
status,and evaluate the effect of
nutritional intervention or the
treatment of disease.
Measurement of growth may
also be used as an index of the
general health and nutrition of
a population or subpopulation
of children.
Key points
?Serial measurement
(longitudinal data)
?Training personnel
?Be made accurately
?To be recorded
Indicators of measurement
Chest circumference
Weight
Height (Length)
Sitting height
Head circumference
Weight measurement
Instruments
Balance beam scale
Pan-type pediatric scale
Platform beam scaleChair -type pediatric scale
upright scale
The choice of Balance beam scales
Age Beam scale Maximum(kg) Accurate(kg)
<1 10～ 15 0.01
1～ 3 Chair-type 20～ 30 0.05
3～ 7 Platform 50 0.1
>7 Platform 100 0.1
Pan-type
Techniques
Calibrated balance beam scale,
Checking and adjustment of the zero
weight on the beam
The weight of the pad or diaper will
be subtracted from the weight of the infant
Be performed in the morning after
toilet time and before the morning meal.
Notes the circumstance of measurement
Height measurement
Instruments
Length-measuring device
movable footboard
table surface
fixed headboard
a fixed measuring tape marked in millimeters with
its zero end at the edge of the headboard
Measuring board
for standing height
A guide for right-angle
headboard
(or nonstretchable tape)
Techniques
Recumbent length is measured for
children younger than 36 months of age
who cannot stand unassisted,
Tow people are required to measure an
infant’s length,
One person stands at the head of the table and
holds the infant’s head so the infant is looking
vertically upward,with the crown of the head
placed firmly against the headboard,
< 3 years of age
Key points,hold
firmly against the headboard
The another person straighten the infant’s
legs,holds the feet with toe pointed directly
up,move the footboard firmly against the feet,
then reads the measurement indicated by the
position of the footboard(the nearest 0.1cm).
Key points,straighten the infant’s legs
holds the feet with toe pointed directly up
over 3 years of age
Underclothes
Shoulders relaxed
Legs straight
Heels close together
Arms at the sides
Stand with bare heels
(the nearest 0.1cm)
Sitting height
SEGMENTAL MEASUREMENTS
The ratio of upper to lower segment
< 3 years of age
over 3 years of age
Instruments
Measuring board
with a chairs for
sitting height
Techniques
One person stands at the head of the table and
holds the infant’s head so the infant is looking
vertically upward,with the crown of the head
placed firmly against the headboard,
The another person holds the infant’s knees to
made the shanks parallel the table surface,move
the footboard firmly against the buttocks,then
reads it (the nearest 0.1cm).
over 3 years of age
Shoulders relaxed
Thighs parallel the ground
Heels close together
Arms at the sides
Sit tight
(the nearest 0.1cm)
Shanks with the thighs
perpendicularly
Measurement of
Head circumference
H.C measurement is an
important screening procedure
to detect abnormalities of
heard growth,which usually
are due to nonnutritional
factors,
Head circumference should be
measured routinely in infants
and children until they are 36
months of age,
Instruments
Flexible,nonstretchable measuring
paper or plastic tape
Techniques
The circumference of the child’s
head at its largest area
The measurer positions the lower edge
of the tape just above the eye-brows,
above the ears,and around the
occipital prominence at the back of the
head, The tape should be pulled snug
to compress the hair.
Measurement of Chest circumference
Represents the development of lungs and chest
At birth,chest circumference is
slightly smaller than head
circumference,about 1-2 cm,less.
By the end of first year,chest
circumference is nearly equal to
head circumference,gradually the
chest development is quicker than
the head growth.
Instruments
Paper or plastic tape
The circumference from the nipple
to the shoulders angle.
nipple shoulders angle
Techniques
