Growth is an essential biological characteristic
of childhood and the growth process is a complicated one. Growth is
a sensitive indicator of a child’s state of health, nutrition and
genetic background. It is important to take anthropometric measure-ments
for monitoring child’s health. It is essential to have the local
norms of anthropo-metary of the population for further
interpretation, since deviations from the normal range of both
heights, weight and rate of growth may indicate an underlying
problem.
"The growth infancy to adolescence" is a pioneer
book written by the authors based on their clinical and research
studies related to growth in Indian Children. The data is multicentric
and has been collected from both affluent and rural sections across
the country. The book defines various growth indices, how to measure
them and give their values with the cut offs for the Indian children
and helps in identifying the normal ranges of growth and indicate
deviations. The book provides percentile tables and growth curves of
Indian affluent children in relation to age for growth assessment.
This is followed by a chapter on growth during puberty in which there
are tables showing weight and height percentiles in relation to sexual
maturity rating (SMR) among adolescent boys and girls. These standards
not only delineate normal pubertal growth but also identifies those at
risk of under nutrition and obesity. Some practical tips as to when
the child needs to be further investigated could be useful for general
pediatricians.
The chapter on growth variations provides an
overview of weight, stature and pubertal disorders, there is a brief
and basic introduction of the skeletal growth and dentition. Authors
could have provided more information in this section for the benefit
of readers. Finally, the appendices includes compilation of tables and
graphs on weight and height for both boys and girls till 17-18 years
and the head circumferences, mid arm circumference and chest
circumferences are available from birth to 6 years. The body mass
index and Ponderal index percentile charts are from 4-5 to 18 years,
also skin fold thickness in relation to SMR staging is available.
This book is indeed useful not only for medical
graduates and pediatricians and general practitioners but also to
nutritionists, authropologists and paramedical workers. The book is
highly recommended as an armamentarium for institutional libraries as
a reference guide for growth monitoring right from infancy till
adolescence.
Sangita Yadav,
Professor,
Department of Pediatrics,
Maulana Azad Medical College,
New Delhi 110 002,
India.
E-mail:
[email protected]
