The reference values for body weight,body length and head circumference for Chinese infants aged 0 to 13 weeks

Objective To establish the growth reference values of weight,length and head circumference for Chinese infants aged from birth to 13 weeks.Methods The database was established by selecting 18 848 normal children ages 0-6-month-old in 2005 national growth survey of nine cities in China.Anthropometry data are collected by using standardized measurement methods and quality control procedures across study sites.The original data was smoothed for curve-fitting by LMS method of lmsChartMaker Pro software.The percentile values are formulated through L,M and S parameters and drawn to form the corresponding growth curve.Results Each percentile values of weight-for-age, length-for-age and head circumference-for-age are constituted respectively at 3~(rd),10~(th),25~(th),50~(th),75~(th), 90~(th),97~(th) percentiles for boys or girls aged 0～13 weeks.The growth pattern of Chinese infants was very similar with the WHO child growth standards.The reference values of weight and length were slightly higher than dhe WHO child growth standards,but the value of head circumference was very close. Conclusion The new reference values of weight,length and head circumference were based on the national survey data and therefore are recommended using as the Chinese infants' growth reference for pediatric clinical practice,child health care and scientific research.