Abstract
The weights of 4, 792 infants and preschool children maintained at a family clinic in a rural area, over a period of 25 years from 1965 to 1989, were studied retrospectively. The data were analyzed by five-year birth cohorts.
The 97th, 50th and 3rd centile curves were computed for the study sample. They were well below those of the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Males were heavier than females for each centile.
The secular variation was examined. It was observed that during the first year of life, the weight gain of the first three cohorts was significantly higher than the last two. From 12 to 48 months there was only a minimal change between cohorts. However, after 48 months, the last two cohorts showed an improvement in weight as compared to the other three.
The boys in our study were far below the 50th centile for NCHS, fell to the 3rd centile around 20 months, and gradually declined further.
The 97th centile for boys was above the 50th NCHS during the first year of life but fell thereafter until 60 months.
The use of local standards at rural clinics is recommended for early detection of those at risk of growth retardation.
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