This accounts for only 12–14% variability in final height, compared with a 56–66% variability in final weight. The final height, which is the result of a complex interplay among transcription factors, hormones, and a large variety of target cells that lasts for about 18 years, eventually falls within a 19–24 cm (7.5–9.4 inches) range for the vast majority of the population. This accounts for a final height of 153–174 cm (60–68.5 inches) for girls and 165–189 cm (65–74 inches) for boys falling between then 5th and 95th centiles, according to the CDC standardized growth charts ( 5). At puberty, linear growth velocity peaks at 6–10 and 5–11 cm/year for girls and boys, respectively ( 4). Postnatally, linear growth velocity declines to 15–17 cm/year in the first 2 years of life, which further decreases until puberty to about 5 cm/year. Following conception, the fetus follows a rapid growth phase around 13–16 weeks of gestation which gradually slows down until birth ( 3). Nowadays, growth is routinely followed prenatally with serial ultrasonography (defined as changes between consecutive measurements of biparietal diameter, abdominal circumference, and femur length). As early as the 18th century, the importance of growth charts was recognized, and its role as a diagnostic tool is now widely appreciated ( 2). ![]() ![]() Healthy growth can be defined as a progression of changes in height, weight, and head circumference and is predicted to follow standardized growth curves, reflecting the overall health and nutritional status of an individual ( 1).
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