Growth
Monitoring
Definition
: A sequential measurement of weight in children under five, in order to detect
malnutrition
and growth failure as early as possible in order to correct it.
This process should starts soon after birth. The measurement of birth weight, the recording
of the weight on growth chart, and two medical examinations should be done for every new
born.
Medical
Examinations:
● First
- Immediate Examination:
○ Measure
birth weight.
○ Detect abnormalities: Disorders of respiration, Muscle tone disorders, Birth
Injuries,
Congenital Malformations.
○ Estimate
APGAR’s score at the first 5 minutes of life after birth.
● Second
- Late Examination:
○ This is done within 48 hours after birth, searching for any congenital
anomalies.
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● Score
0 = Dead, Score 10 = Very Active
● Score 3 at 6 minutes = The baby is at high risk of neonatal death or have respiratory or
CNS
complications, so admission to neonatal intensive care unit is needed.
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Growth
Monitoring indicators:
● Weight
for Age
● Height
for Age
● Weight
for Height
● Mid-Upper
Arm Circumference
● Skinfold
Thickness
Risk
factors that influence a child’s nutritional status:
● Low
birth weight
● Large
family size
● Short
spacing
● Recurrent
infections
● Poverty
● Illiterate
mother
● Early
stopping of breastfeeding
● Poor
growth at early life
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