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Nutrition Interventions for Children with Special Health Care Needs

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Chapter 2 - Anthropometricss<br />

measure. BMI is expressed as a ratio of weight in kilograms to height in meters<br />

squared:<br />

BMI = weight in kilograms<br />

(height in meters)2<br />

OR<br />

BMI = (weight in kilograms) ÷ (height in meters) ÷ (height in meters)<br />

BMI can also be calculated using English units (8):<br />

BMI = [Weight (pounds) ÷ Height (inches) ÷ Height (inches)] x 703<br />

The calculated BMI adds a useful dimension to the assessment of body composition<br />

if accurate stature (length or height) and weight measurements are obtained. This<br />

index of weight relative to length or stature can be used to monitor changes over<br />

time. With this addition, clinicians can compare a child’s BMI to the BMI of her peers.<br />

Because growth parameters change, no single BMI is ideal during childhood and<br />

adolescence.<br />

Incremental Growth Charts<br />

Incremental growth charts used <strong>with</strong> charts <strong>for</strong> weight and stature can be helpful<br />

in assessing deviations in growth and response to intervention (9,10). These charts<br />

show changes in growth velocity over a 6 month period and are more sensitive<br />

to deviations in growth than charts <strong>with</strong> length or height and weight attained. For<br />

example, a child weighing 7 kg at 12 months of age and 8.8 kg at 18 months plots<br />

below the 5th percentile <strong>for</strong> weight <strong>for</strong> age on the CDC charts, but shows a growth<br />

velocity near the 90th percentile. This child, although below the 5th percentile <strong>for</strong><br />

weight <strong>for</strong> age, is demonstrating rate of weight gain that is faster than the mean.<br />

Copies of incremental growth charts are provided in Appendix D (13).<br />

<strong>Special</strong>ty Growth Charts<br />

Growth charts <strong>for</strong> premature infants that attempt to reflect intrauterine growth<br />

rates have been produced by several different researchers; each set has benefits<br />

and drawbacks. However, instead of premature infant charts, many practitioners<br />

use the CDC growth charts and correct <strong>for</strong> the child’s prematurity. It is important<br />

to document that measurements of age are corrected <strong>for</strong> prematurity. It is best to<br />

continue to correct <strong>for</strong> prematurity until the child’s growth is plotted on the charts <strong>for</strong><br />

2-20 year olds.<br />

24 <strong>Nutrition</strong> <strong>Interventions</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Children</strong> With <strong>Special</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Care</strong> <strong>Needs</strong>

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