October 30th, 2015
by Melissa Jenco, AAP News
Researchers have developed new growth charts for children with Down syndrome (DS) to replace charts dating back to 1988 Since the charts were first released, weight gain for children under 3 years has improved, and height for males ages 2-18 years has increased, according to a new report. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has not taken an official stance on the charts. But Marilyn J. Bull, M.D., author of the Academy’s 2011 clinical report on Down syndrome, called them “long-needed” and said she is “confident in their quality.” The charts are published in the report, Growth Charts for Children With Down Syndrome in the U.S.
Roughly one in 700 live births is a child with Down syndrome, and those children tend to grow more slowly than other children, according to the report. Growth charts specifically for children with Down syndrome were published in Pediatrics in 1988. However, in the 2011 AAP clinical report, Health Supervision for Children With Down Syndrome, the Academy recommended using standard charts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) National Center for Health Statistics or the World Health Organization because the 1988 charts were outdated.
Source/more: AAP News
