Children Who Are Slow to Grow

Pediatric growth is generally monitored by tracking a child’s height, weight, and head circumference measurements on a growth chart. While great debate exists as to whether American growth charts are relevant for foreign-born children, growth charts are helpful in determining if a child is sustaining his own growth.

The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that all children, regardless of their country of origin, be tracked on the World Health Organization growth charts.

Many internationally adopted children are on the lower end or even off the growth charts. These children may always be on the lower end yet be perfectly healthy. Additionally, many adopted children experience rapid growth in height post-adoption, but are slower in gaining weight. In normal or underweight children, preventing weight loss is a priority.