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<p><strong>GROWTH&nbsp;</strong></p>
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<p>“Is my child tall enough? “</p>
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<p>“Is my child underweight?”</p>
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<p>“Everybody says my child is weak!”</p>
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<p>&nbsp;“My child is not growing! People keep commenting!”&nbsp;</p>
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<p>“What will be my child’s adult height?”&nbsp;</p>
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<p>“Should I give protein supplements to my child for growth?”</p>
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<p>A child is not a miniature adult. Therefore the principles of adult medicine are not applicable. Our goal should be:</p>
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<ul><li>&nbsp;to achieve the highest possible potential of growth, development and intellectual achievements.</li><li>&nbsp;to nurture - protect, promote, and preserve health.&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;to acquire the correct lifestyle habits and values.</li><li>&nbsp;to nurture with love.&nbsp;</li></ul>
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<p>The growth of a child continues till the child becomes an adult. Growth and development go hand in hand and are not the same or interchangeable. Growth is more to do with physical aspects like height and weight or increase in size. Development is the growth in functions and capabilities. It’s about the maturation of functions and acquiring skills. Growth and development happen simultaneously. They affect each other and both processes depend on genetic, nutritional, and environmental factors.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Genetic potential is what we acquire from our parents through DNA. Environmental factors and nutrition are equally important. The emotional environment and stability is one more factor that contributes to overall good growth and development.</p>
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<p>Growth and development is a continuous process. Rate of Growth varies a bit from child to child. Standardised Growth Charts are available for different dimensions of growth such as Weight, Height, BMI( Body Mass Index), Head Circumference. Growth measurements should be plotted on the graph over the growing up years. It is a good tool to diagnose the deviation of growth from normal. The growth should stay within the percentile range that is acceptable for the child.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>REF: <a href="https://iapindia.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iapindia.org</a></p>
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