Training Module: Using WHO Child Growth Standards

What to know

This site provides training on how to use the World Health Organization (WHO) Child Growth Standards to assess growth among U.S. infants and children from birth to 2 years, regardless of type of feeding. This training material is intended for health care providers such as dietitians, nurses, physicians, medical assistants, and other practitioners.

Four infants and toddler superimposed over images of growth charts.

Introduction

CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that health care providers use the WHO Child Growth Standards to monitor growth of infants and children from birth to 2 years. These standards can be used whether the child is fed breastmilk or infant formula.

The WHO Child Growth Standards described in this training module apply only to children from birth to 2 years. Please refer to CDC Growth Charts for children and adolescents 2 to 20 years or the training module on CDC Growth Charts to learn more.

This training module includes:

Recommendations and Rationale
Why the World Health Organization growth charts are recommended for U.S. infants and young children.
Creating the WHO Child Growth Standards
Years of study and research led to the World Health Organization Growth Standards.
Comparing Growth Chart Methodologies
Similarities and differences in developing WHO and CDC growth charts.
Breastfeeding and Infant Growth Standards
The growth patterns of breastfed and formula-fed infants are different.
Using WHO Growth Standard Charts
Tips for using WHO Growth Charts before 2 years and transitioning to CDC Growth Charts at age 2.
Summary: Using WHO Child Growth Standards
Reasons to use WHO growth charts to monitor growth of U.S. children from birth to 2.

Audience

This training is intended for health care providers. This group includes dietitians, nurses, physicians, medical assistants, and others who measure and evaluate growth of infants and children under 2 years.

Objectives

After the training, you will be able to:

  • Discuss recommendations for using the WHO Child Growth Standards.
  • Describe how and why the WHO Child Growth Standards were created.
  • Understand differences between WHO Child Growth Standards and CDC Growth Reference Charts.
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Content Source:
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP)