How accurate are height charts for measuring growth?

Parents often wonder how tall their toddler or preschooler will be when they grow up. Primary school children and adolescents may wonder, “How tall will I be? It’s a very natural question for parents and children to ask, and while it can be fun to try to predict your child’s height, paediatricians also find it helpful to make sure your child is growing as expected. While no one has a crystal ball to know for sure, there are ways for parents and paediatricians to make an educated guess.

Are height charts accurate for measuring growth?

Height charts can be useful for tracking a child’s growth over time, but they are not always the most accurate measure of a child’s height. Height charts can be affected by factors such as the child’s posture, the type of shoes they wear, and the surface they stand on. In addition, there can be slight variations in the measurement process from one person to another, which can affect the accuracy of the height chart.

Although height charts can give a general idea of a child’s growth and development, it is important to remember that they should not be used as the sole measure of a child’s height. Healthcare professionals use special equipment and techniques to accurately measure a child’s height and it is recommended that a healthcare professional is consulted for the most accurate measurement of a child’s height and growth.

How do you predict a child’s adult height?

The most accurate method of predicting height is to use a child’s “bone age”, as determined by an X-ray of the hand, but there are several methods you can use at home to get an idea of how tall your child will be when he or she grows up. 

There are three methods you can use to estimate how tall your child will be as an adult. None is perfect, but all will give you an idea of how tall your children might be when they grow up. You can even use all three methods and see how they compare. The most common way to estimate your child’s adult height is to use the height of your parents.

More importantly, these are helpful tools that can help your paediatrician identify when your children aren’t growing well. For example, if your child has the genetic potential to be 6 feet 2 inches, but is following a growth curve that puts him or her at 5 feet 6 inches, your doctor may want to investigate a possible cause. Many factors can influence your child’s future growth, including their overall health and nutritional status, as well as their genetic potential.

The two-year method multiplied by two

Did you know that the first growth spurt, from infant to toddler, accounts for almost half of your child’s adult height? An easy way to predict adult height is to double the child’s height at two years of age. Girls grow faster, so doubling their height at 18 months can also be used to predict their adult height. Although this method has been around for a long time, there are no research studies to prove its accuracy.

The method: average of the parents

A slightly more complex method of predicting your child’s height is known as the ‘average parent method’. Add the height of both parents (father plus mother) in inches and divide by two.

• For a boy: add 2.5 inches (6.35 cm).
• For a girl: subtract 2.5 inches.

Note: This is only a rough estimate of the average height your child will reach when he or she finishes growing. You can expect a margin of error of about four inches (10.16 cm) up or down. The taller the parents, the more likely the child will be tall, and the shorter the parents, the more likely the child will be tall.

Growth charts

Measuring your child’s height, weight, and head size regularly and plotting them on a growth chart is a good way to see if your child is growing as expected. Paediatricians use standardised growth charts at every well-child visit. What many people don’t know is that growth charts also help to determine the onset of puberty in older children. As you may know, puberty is now occurring at a younger age. The appearance of pubic hair or breast buds in girls can usually be seen as early as six years of age. Growth charts can help paediatricians determine whether your child’s early development is within the normal range.

Can growth charts predict a child’s future height?

No, growth charts cannot accurately predict a child’s future height. They are a visual representation of a child’s growth and development over time. A child’s height is determined by genetics and environmental factors and can be influenced by diet, hormonal changes, and other factors. It is important to note that height charts should only be used as a reference and should not be relied upon as a predictor of future height.

Family history and genetics

Growth and height patterns usually run in families. Your child’s paediatrician may ask about your child’s height, as genetics may be the most important factor in your child’s growth. He or she may also ask about the height of other family members. You may also be asked how fast and at what age your child grew during childhood (i.e. his growth pattern). Was he short in primary school, but continued to grow when his friends stopped growing? Did he grow at the beginning or end of puberty? These can be important clues for your child’s paediatrician.

What else can influence your child’s height?

Although genes are an important determinant of your child’s final height (for example, tall parents have tall children), other factors can affect a child’s growth. These include

• Nutrition: A child who is overweight is usually taller than his or her classmates, but this does not necessarily mean that he or she will be taller as an adult. Children who are very thin may be shorter than expected for their age.
• Hormones: Hormone imbalances, such as low thyroid or growth hormone levels, lead to slower than expected growth and may cause children to be shorter or taller than expected if not diagnosed and treated. Check the list of warnings to see if your child is growing normally and reaching the expected height, or if there may be a growth hormone problem.
• Medications: Some medicines, especially chronic use of corticosteroids (such as prednisone), can slow growth.
• Health problems: Children with certain chronic illnesses, such as severe arthritis, untreated celiac disease, or cancer, may be shorter than expected.
• Genetic conditions: Children with some genetic conditions may be tall or short. For example, people with Down syndrome, Noonan syndrome, or Turner syndrome tend to be shorter than other members of their family, while Marfan syndrome can cause someone to be taller. 

Exercise, pollution, sleep patterns, climate, physical fitness, diet, and psychological well-being can also affect growth.

What do you do if your child is not growing?

If you are concerned about your child’s height or think your child is too fast or too slow, consult your paediatrician. If necessary, your paediatrician may order some additional tests. A simple X-ray of the hand and wrist can show how much growth your child has left. Laboratory tests can also help determine the causes of growth problems and how to treat them. You may also be referred to a paediatric endocrinologist, paediatric geneticist, or other paediatric specialist for further evaluation and treatment.

When your children go through a growth spurt, you may wonder if they’ll ever stop growing. It’s fun to watch them grow, but it does raise a few questions. While none of these height predictors are 100% accurate, they are interesting ways to gauge how tall your children might be.

Our suggestions of Children’s Height Charts at A Matter Of Style