Growth diagrams of Indonesian children The nationwide survey of 2005

Abstract

Background Reference curves of growth have been developed
in many countries based on cross-sectional data. The World Health
Organization (WHO) has recommended an international reference
which is based on the growth standards developed within the United
States during the 1970s. In general these growth references are
used in Indonesian pediatric clinics although it is known that these
references are not appropriate for this population with a different
ethnic background. In order to evaluate reliably Indonesian chil-
dren with growth disorders reference standards based on mea-
surements in Indonesian children are necessary.
Objective To make a standard growth chart for Indonesian chil-
dren especially with regards to height, weight, and head circum-
ference from a healthy Indonesian infants and children, age 0-18
years. This standard charts were compared to CDC growth charts.
Methods Weight and height and head circumference were taken
from children with age ranging from birth up to 18 years. All sub-
jects were recruited from 7 different parts of Indonesia. The age
grouping for children from 0-1 years old was based on 3-month
interval, while for children older than 12 months was based on a 6-
month interval. The study was cross sectional.
Results There were 34 800 children (17 229 boys and 17 571
girls) included in this study with age ranging from 0 up to 18 years.
Graphs were presented for weight for age, supine length for age,
head circumference for age in male and female infants, and weight
for height and height for age in boys and girls 1-18 years.
Comparson of the results of this study with the CDC data were
presented as a graph.
Conclusion The standard charts for Indonesian children based
on weight for height, supine length for height and head circumfer-
ence for age were presented in graphs for children 0-1 year, weight
for height and height for age for boys and girls 1-18 years old. All
children were compared to CDC growth charts and there exists a
mean difference of -1.47 SDS for boys and -1.43 SDS for
girls.