Standard growth curves for Japanese patients with Prader‐Willi syndrome

We constructed the standard growth (length/height and weight) curves for Japanese individuals with Prader‐Willi syndrome (PWS). Crude height and weight data were collected from 153 males and 99 females with the syndrome, and the collected data were arranged by a mathematical method to construct the curves. Height growth patterns were quite different between PWS and normal children. Mean height of individuals with the syndrome by puberty is −2 SD for normal children, and it drops off far below −2 SD value after puberty. Final mean height is 141.2 ± 4.8 cm for females (n = 13) and 147.7 ± 7.7 cm for males (n = 17), showing 15.8 and 21.9 cm below the average height for normal Japanese girls and boys, respectively. Thus, the degree of shortness is more pronounced in male than in female patients. There was no difference in height between those with chromosome 15q deletion and those without. Mean weight at birth of girls (n = 88) and boys (n = 131) were 2.70 ± 0.45 Kg and 2.62 ± 0.47 Kg, respectively. These values were smaller than those for normal neonates ( P < 0.05, t ‐test). The weight of PWS children was under the mean value for normal infants by age 2 years, but gradually increase above the mean values for normal children around ages 2–4 years. Overweight in both males and females becomes obvious during prepuberty. Growth patterns are not different between Japanese and Caucasian children with the syndrome. Short stature is more prominent in boys of both ethnic groups, whereas the degree of overweight appears much more severe in Caucasians. Am. J. Med. Genet. 95:130–134, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

The growth of twins between the ages of 2 and 9 years

BACKGROUND: Twin growth studies are mostly based on pooled data without consideration of zygosity, parental heights or birth weight. Aim: The study investigated the effects of gender, zygosity, parental height and birth weight on subsequent twin growth. METHODS: Height and weight measurements of 1533 twins (n = 1077 for occipito-frontal head circumference (OFC)), age range 2-9 years, were converted to standard deviation scores derived from singleton standards. Their growth was evaluated in relation to gender, zygosity, parental heights and birth weight. RESULTS: Mean stature of twins fell only slightly below the reference values of singletons, but they were underweight to a greater extent (boys more than girls). Twins' OFC were low (girls more so than boys). Monozygotic (MZ) twin boys were lighter and shorter than dizygotic twins and MZ twin girls. Deficient growth was most evident in those babies light at birth. Parental heights only partly accounted for the difference in height of twins. CONCLUSIONS: Birth weight and parental height are important in relation to subsequent growth. Boy twins are at a disadvantage compared with girls in terms of their growth in height and weight, particularly in the low birth weight and MZ groups.     

Leg length,sitting height,and body proportions references for achondroplasia: New tools for monitoring growth

Achondroplasia is the most common form of inherited disproportionate short stature. We report leg length, sitting height, and body proportion curves for achondroplasia. Seven centile format of sitting height, leg length, sitting height/leg length ratio, sitting height/height ratio, and head circumference/height ratio were estimated by the LMS method. The Q‐test was applied to assess the goodness of fit. For comparison, centiles of sitting height and leg length were graphed using Argentine national growth references for achondroplasia and non‐achondroplasia populations. The sample consisted of 342 children with achondroplasia (171 males, 171 females) aged 0–18 years. The median (interquartile range) number of measurements per child was 6 (3, 12) for sitting height and 8 (3, 13) for head circumference. Median leg length increased from 14 cm at age 1 week to 44 and 40 cm (males and females, respectively) in achondroplasia adolescents which is 3.5 cm shorter than non‐achondroplasia children at age 1 week and, 38 cm shorter at adolescence. Median sitting height increased from 34 cm at birth to 86 and 81 in adolescents’ boys and girls respectively, only 5 cm shorter than non‐achondroplasia children. Sitting height/leg length decreased from 2.61 at birth to approximately 1.90 at adolescent. Median head circumference/height ratio decreased from 0.79 at birth to 0.46 at 18 years in both sexes. Growth of lower limbs is affected early in life and becomes more noticeable throughout childhood. The disharmonic growth between the less affected trunk and the severely affected limbs determine body disproportion in achondroplasia.

     

Standard growth curves for Japanese patients with Prader-Willi syndrome

We constructed the standard growth (length/height and weight) curves for Japanese individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). Crude height and weight data were collected from 153 males and 99 females with the syndrome, and the collected data were arranged by a mathematical method to construct the curves. Height growth patterns were quite different between PWS and normal children. Mean height of individuals with the syndrome by puberty is -2 SD for normal children, and it drops off far below -2 SD value after puberty. Final mean height is 141.2 +/- 4.8 cm for females (n = 13) and 147.7 +/- 7.7 cm for males (n = 17), showing 15.8 and 21.9 cm below the average height for normal Japanese girls and boys, respectively. Thus, the degree of shortness is more pronounced in male than in female patients. There was no difference in height between those with chromosome 15q deletion and those without. Mean weight at birth of girls (n = 88) and boys (n = 131) were 2.70 +/- 0.45 Kg and 2.62 +/- 0.47 Kg, respectively. These values were smaller than those for normal neonates (P < 0.05, t-test). The weight of PWS children was under the mean value for normal infants by age 2 years, but gradually increase above the mean values for normal children around ages 2-4 years. Overweight in both males and females becomes obvious during prepuberty. Growth patterns are not different between Japanese and Caucasian children with the syndrome. Short stature is more prominent in boys of both ethnic groups, whereas the degree of overweight appears much more severe in Caucasians.     

Reference values for body proportions and body composition in adult women with Ullrich-Turner syndrome

This cross sectional study was undertaken to establish reference values for adult women with Ullrich-Turner syndrome (UTS) verified cytogenetically by blood karyotyping and not treated with growth hormone during childhood and adolescence, with respect to anthropometric and body composition measurements, for future evaluations of growth promoting therapy. All members of the Danish Turner Association were invited, and 79 women with UTS participated. Forty-two had the 45,X karyotype and the other 37 had different karyotypes. Outcome measures were height, sitting height, arm span, length of hand and foot, biacromial and biiliac diameter, and hip, waist, and head circumference. Bioelectrical impedance was performed, and total body water, lean body mass, and fat mass were calculated. Results give a very distinct anthropometric picture of adult women with the UTS, with a mean height of 146.8±6.7 cm (mean±SD), sitting height of 78.6±3.6 cm, arm span measurements of 147.9±7.1 cm, being between 3 and 4 standard deviation scores (SDS) below average; with a mean hand length of 17.0±1.1 cm and foot length of 22.4±1.2 cm, being around 1.5 SDS below average; a mean weight of 56.3±12.8 kg, head circumference of 55.3±2.0 cm and biacromial diameter of 36.5±2.0 cm, being around 0 SDS; and finally, biiliacal diameter of 29.5±2.2 cm, being 1.4 SDS above average. The average body mass index (BMI) in the study was 26.3±5.3 kg/m². As a group, females with UTS are overweight when compared with a group of “normal” women, with a higher fat mass, a lower lean body mass, but with a comparable amount of total body water (in %). This study presents the first comprehensive reference data on body proportions in the adult UTS. It shows that adult women with the Ullrich-Turner syndrome has a characteristic anthropometric shape. The data should be of use for future evaluations of growth hormone treatment or other growth promoting therapy in the UTS on anthropometric and body composition variables. Am. J. Med. Genet. 72:403–408, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Growth pattern of the Sugalis--a tribal population of Andhra Pradesh, India

With a view to assess physical growth, a cross-sectional study was made on 1565 Sugali children (854 boys and 711 girls), aged 1 to 20 years. Anthropometric measurements included height, weight, upper arm circumference, biacromial diameter, biiliocristal diameter, chest circumference, head circumference and skinfold measurements at triceps, subscapular, suprailiac and medial calf. All anthropometric measurements except skinfold measurements exhibit uniform increase with age in both the sexes. A gradual increase in four skinfold measurements is observed with age in the case of girls, whereas slight decrease is observed in the case of the boys. The Sugali boys and girls are shorter and lighter than well-to-do Indian standards. The median heights and weights of Sugali boys and girls fall below the 5th percentile of NCHS standards. Finally, the results were discussed with a comparative view point.     

Growth references for 0–19 year-old Norwegian children for length/height,weight, body mass index and head circumference

Background: Previous growth references for Norwegian children were based on measurements from the 1970s and 1980s. New reference data, collected through the Bergen Growth Study and the Medical Birth Registry of Norway, are presented as LMS values.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional sample of children aged 0–19 years in stratified randomized design measured in 2003–2006 as a part of the Bergen Growth Study (n = 7291) and birth data of children born in 1999–2003 from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway (n = 12 576) was used to estimate the new references by the means of the LMS method. Measurement reliability was assessed by test-rest studies.

Results: New references were constructed for length/height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and head circumference. Length/height and weight for children aged 0–4 years were similar to previous Norwegian references, but mean height increased up to a maximum of 3.4 cm in boys and 2.5 cm in girls during the pubertal years. Mean height was similar to (or slightly higher) in comparison with other recent European references. Reliability of the measurements compared well with published estimates.

Conclusion: Because of the observed secular trends in growth, it is advised to use the new references, which have been endorsed by the Norwegian Department of Health.     

Height growth velocity during infancy and childhood in achondroplasia

There is a lack of knowledge about longitudinal growth during childhood in achondroplasia. We report patterns of linear growth and height growth velocity references. The sample consisted of 84 children, 41 girls and 43 boys. Growth data was collected from birth until mid‐childhood. The median (interquartile range) number of measurements per child was 13.5 (12, 15). Individual growth curves were estimated by fitting the Reed 1st model to each individual's height for age data. Height growth velocities references for age centiles were calculated by LMS method. Mean (SD) birth length was 46.14 cm (2.17) and 45.53 cm (2.16), for boys and girls respectively. Individual growth curves were analyzed. Shifts in growth channels were seen: out of 84 infants, 41 (48.8%) changed more than 1 SDS between birth to 5 years old. The numbers of infants shifting upward were similar (20/84) to the infants shifting downward (21/84). Height growth velocity curves show that after a period of fast decreasing growth velocity since birth, with a mean of 15.5 cm/year and 9.5 cm/year at 6 month and 1 year old, the growth velocity is stable in late preschool years, with a mean of 4.3 cm/year. Shifts in growth channels were seen between birth and 5 years old. Professionals who follow up them must consider this phenomenon during infancy. ACH children experienced a period of fast decreasing growth during infancy and the growth curve was similar in shape and lesser in magnitude than the general population.     

Changes in height and motor performance relative to peak height velocity: A mixed-longitudinal study of Spanish boys and girls

Longitudinal changes in stature and motor performance were studied in an adolescent sample of 36 boys and 53 girls. Peak height velocity (PHV) was determined in 28 boys and 38 girls using non-smoothed polynomials. The estimations of PHV and the age-at—PHV are, respectively, 11.4 ± 2.2 cm/yr and 13.0 ± 0.63 years (boys), and 8.7 ± 1.6 cm/yr and 12.4 ± 0.57 years (girls). Performances in explosive strength (standing long jump; medicine ball throw) and flexibility (trunk maximal flexion) exhibit peak development during the year following PHV in both sexes. Maximal mean growth velocities in an endurance run (six minutes) occur before PHV in girls and after PHV in boys. Peak velocities in agility (4 × 6 m shuttle run), running speed (40 m dash) and abdominal strength-resistance (sit-ups for 30 seconds) occur before PHV in both sexes. There also is an acceleration of performances in these three tests after PHV. The results indicate that performance in several motor tests shows an adolescent spurt of an intensity that is proportionally comparable to the adolescent height spurt in both sexes. The dynamics of changes in motor performance in relation to PHV appears similar in both sexes. The most striking difference occurs in the endurance run. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 10:647–660, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Growth trends in boys and girls (10–17 years-old) from autonomous region of Madeira,Portugal between 1996–1998 and 2007–2009

Background: Growth trends have never been studied in adolescents of the Autonomous Region of Madeira, Portugal.

Aims: To analyse growth trends in weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and triceps skin-fold thickness (TST) of adolescents (10–17 years old) of the Autonomous Region of Madeira between 1996–1998 and 2007–2009.

Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out between 2007–2009, including 4314 adolescents, 2237 girls and 2077 boys (10–17 years old). To study secular growth trends, data were compared with a sample from 1996–1998, comparing the means for each anthropometric variable by age and sex using the independent-sample t-test.

Results: An average increase was found in weight of 5.8 kg in boys and 6.3 kg in girls; in height of 3.0 cm in boys and 3.7 cm in girls; in BMI of 1.5 kg/m² in boys and 1.7 kg/m² in girls; in WC a difference of 5.6 cm and 4.9 cm for boys and girls, respectively, and for MUAC a difference of 2.7 cm in boys and 2.0 cm in girls. No differences were found in TST in boys, but in girls an increase of 1.2 mm was observed.

Conclusions: A general increase in anthropometric measurements, more marked in weight, BMI, WC and MUAC and at younger ages, was observed.     

Growth in stature and head circumference in high-functioning autism and Asperger disorder during the first 3 years of life

Little effort has been made to characterize the developmental anatomic phenotype of autism; although there is evidence of an increased head circumference and brain size, few other physical characteristics have been studied. The head circumference, body length/height, and weight measurements of infants, who were later diagnosed with high-functioning autism (HFA, n = 16) and Asperger disorder (AsD, n = 12), were extracted from health records over the first 3 years of life and compared to the measurements of a matched normal control group (n = 19). Using linear mixed-effects models, no differences were found in the average growth rate for head circumference, stature, or weight between the children with HFA and AsD. However, a significantly higher growth rate in body length/height and weight was found for the combined group of children with HFA and AsD compared to the normal control group. A trend toward higher growth rate in head circumference was also found among the former group. The results indicate that growth dysregulation in autism is not specific to the brain but also involves growth in stature.     

Empirically derived new equations for calculating body fat percentage based on skinfold thickness and midarm circumference in preschool Indian children.

We wanted to develop and apply new equations based on skinfold and midarm measurements for estimating %fat in preschool children suitable for field use. Prediction equations were developed on preschool-aged urban boys (n = 100) and girls (n = 84). Skinfolds at four sites and midarm measurements were regressed on %fat derived from equations based on height and weight and from bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA; resistance at 50 kHz). These equations were applied: 1) to 12 children in whom the %fat was determined using D2O dilution, and 2) to 50 children in whom their %fat was derived using height-weight and BIA equations. The 95% limits of agreement (mean +/- 2 SD) for %fat derived by anthropometry and by new equations were within 1.7% in boys (r = 0.85; P < 0.001) and girls (r = 0.90; P < 0.001) and by BIA and new equations were within 1.5% in boys (r = 0.82; P < 0.001) and 2% in girls (r = 0.88; P < 0.001). For %fat measured by D2O dilution and new equations, 95% limits of agreement was within 1.3% (r = 0.98; P < 0.001). In 50 children 95% limits of agreement between anthropometry and new equations were within 1.8% in boys (r = 0.88; P < 0.001) and 1.4% in girls (r = 0.92; P < 0.001) and between BIA and new equations were within 1% in boys (r = 0.91; P < 0.001) and 1.5% in girls (r = 0.89; P < 0.001). The new equations for measuring %fat based on midarm circumference and skinfold measurements are rapid and accurate for South Asian children and should be useful for prediction of body composition and nutritional survey in field studies.     

The Second National Growth and Development Survey of Children in China, 1985: children 0 to 7 years

To evaluate the normal physical growth and development of Chinese children and to compare the nutritional status of today with that of ten years ago, a second national cross-sectional growth survey was undertaken in the same urban and suburban rural areas of nine main cities in China in 1985 as in 1975. In this survey 152 874 boys and girls from birth to age 7·0 years were measured for weight, height, sitting height, and chest, head and upper arm circumferences. Compared with the results in 1975, the condition of growth and development of children for both boys and girls from urban or suburban rural areas has been relatively much improved. Average weight and height had increased in the past 10 years by 0·40 kg and 1·8 cm respectively, in 6–7-year-old children. The greater part of the increase in height has been due to increase in leg length. The urban-rural difference in stature has become smaller, as the increase has been greater in rural areas. The data from this survey can be used as a new growth standard for Chinese children.     

Neurofibromatosis type 1 growth charts

Growth abnormalities such as macrocephaly and short stature have been described and are considered a consistent finding in neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), one of the most common autosomal dominant disorders in man. We present here a clinical study on the growth profile of a sample of NF1 patients collected through a population-based registry that covers three contiguous regions of North-East Italy (NEI-NF Registry). Auxometric traits of 528 NF1 patients have been measured with the aim of drawing growth charts for height, weight, and head circumference (OFC). Height velocity charts were based on a subset of 143 children who underwent multiple measurements. No differences in height were apparent between NF1 and normal subjects up to age 7 (girls) and 12 (boys) years; subsequently, the 50th centile of NF1 subjects tends to overlap with the 25th centile of normal subjects, and the 3rd centile is much lower in NF1 subjects than in normal subjects, mainly during adolescence. The negatively skewed distribution of height seems to indicate that height growth impairment affects only a proportion of NF1 subjects; height growth impairment does not seem related to disease severity. As for weight, our data suggest that slight overweight is a characteristic of adult NF1 subjects (mainly among males), independent of disease severity. Height growth velocity is normal during childhood for both sexes, whereas the pubertal spurt is slightly anticipated and reduced in NF1 boys but not in girls. Our data confirm previous observations that macrocrania affects most NF1 subjects; the shape of the head growth curve is similar in NF1 and normal girls, whereas NF1 boys present an OFC pubertal growth spurt much more pronounced and delayed than normal boys. The disproportion between OFC and height seems to be related to disease severity in boys but not in girls. Growth charts presented here can be useful in neurofibromatosis clinics for the identification of the effects of secondary growth disorders, for growth prognosis, and for the evaluation of the effects of a therapy such as GH therapy after radiotherapy for optic glioma.     

Growth charts for cri‐du‐chat syndrome: An international collaborative study

Low birth weight and slow growth are frequently observed in the patients with cri‐du‐chat syndrome. To provide a growth reference standard for children with cri‐du‐chat syndrome, syndrome‐specific growth charts have been developed from a combination of cross‐sectional and longitudinal measurements on 374 patients from North America, Italy, Australia, and the British Isles. The data were obtained from pediatric records, parent reporting, and personal examinations at national 5p‐ parent support group meetings in the U.S., Italy, U.K., and Australia. The growth curves include height and weight measurements for patients ages 0 to 18 years and head circumference measurements for patients ages 0 to 15 years. Birth weight was above the 5th percentile of general population in 50% of cases: mean weight 2.8 kg ± 1.85 SD for males and 2.6 kg ± 1.51 SD for females. Growth curve medians were usually at or below the 5th centile of reference populations throughout life. The median head circumference falls below the 2nd centile, and this change increases with age. The charts show that compared with the standard population, most children with cri‐du‐chat syndrome are small at birth and as they grow most, but not all, have significant microcephaly and compromised weight for age, and to a lesser extent, compromised height for age. Am. J. Med. Genet. 94:153–162, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Growth manifestations in the Brachmann-de Lange syndrome

We have obtained serial measurements on 180 patients with clinically confirmed Brachmann-de Lange syndrome (BDLS) in order to derive standard growth curves. The patients were evaluated in our genetics department and through meetings of the Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Foundation, a support group for families of affected individuals. The data were obtained from the records of pediatricians, other physicians, schools and parents, as well as from personal examination on each of these patients at least once, often periodically. The growth curves include height, weight and head circumference measurements from birth through adulthood. Prenatal growth and birth weights are below the 5th centile in most (68%) cases, with an average birth weight of 2,277 g. Growth persists below the normal curves in most of the patients throughout life. Height velocity is equal to the normal range but there is slower pubertal growth. Weight velocity is below the normal range throughout life until late adolescence. Average head circumference remains below the second centile. Thin body habitus coupled with slow growth and proportionate small stature is a manifestation of the syndrome, but is commonly mistaken for failure to thrive. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Growth from birth to two years of rich urban and poor rural Iranian children compared with Western norms

1.Length, weight and head circumference were measured from birth to age 2 in 63 boys and 68 girls of a high-income Iranian group living in Shiraz in economic and cultural conditions similar to high income groups in Western Europe and North America. The 10th, 50th and 90th centiles of the measurements were very similar to the London and Boston standards.

2.The high-income Iranian group was compared with racially similar village and poor urban groups in Shiraz and the nearby countryside. The 50th centiles of these groups for length and weight were at or below the 3rd centile of the high-income group from 3 to 24 months; head circumference 50th centile was at the 10th to 3rd centile.

3.It is concluded that the growth potential of Iranian children is no less than that of West Europeans, though the majority of the population grow along a very much lower curve.     

The decanalization of weight,recumbent length,and head circumference during infancy

This study has estimated the extent to which 659 infants in the Fels Longitudinal Study maintained their positions in canals on the current NCHS growth charts during 6- and 12-month intervals. These canals are the zones between adjacent major percentile lines (5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, and 95th) on the growth charts. The probabilities of increases or decreases in level by two or more canals were calculated. Additionally, the probabilities were calculated for changes in level from between the 5th and 10th percentiles or between the 90th and 95th percentiles to zones beyond the 5th or 95th percentiles, respectively (transitions from normal limits). The analyses were made from birth to 36 months for weight and from 1–36 months for length and head circumference. The probabilities of decanalization were larger for weight than for length or head circumference for the interval from birth to 6 months, but not later. The probabilities for each variable analyzed tended to be large for young age intervals and larger for changes toward the medians than for changes from the medians. The directions of decanalization for weight from birth to 6 months were related to birth weight and those for length were related to midparent stature for the intervals from 6–12 months in each sex, 1–12 months in girls, and 6–18 months in boys. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 9:689–698, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

The relationship of variations in children's growth rates to seasonal climatic variations

The growth rates in stature of 300 children in the Orkney Islands, measured at monthly intervals over 2 years, were negatively correlated with various measures of light and temperature. All correlations were small but statistically significant, the highest being with the mean of the maximal daily temperatures (?0·32) for the boys and with hours of bright sunshine (?0·29) for the girls.

The children's mean growth rates reached maxima at midwinter and minima at midsummer but the maximum in the winter 1971–72 was much lower than those at the beginning of 1971 and at the end of 1972. The climatic variables were not appreciably different in the two years.

Only about 35 per cent of children showed cycles of growth rates which could be regarded as seasonal in that they rose to peak values at approximately the same time in the two successive years.

The difference between the maximal and minimal rates exhibited by Orkney children (5·26±0·12 cm/yr for boys; 5·46±0·14 cm/yr for girls) was almost identical to that in London children. The synchronization of the maximal growth rates was no more precise in Orkney than in London.

It is concluded that seasonal variations in light and temperature exert at most only a small effect on growth rate and perhaps none at all. The influence of other factors, as yet unidentified, is greater.     

Gender differences at birth and differences in fetal growth

The discrepancy between the number of boys and girls born hasbeen interpreted as a natural selection response to differentialsurvival prospects. There also exists a discrepancy in birthweight, length, head circumference at birth of boys and girls;on the other hand, placental weights were not so strongly biasedby the sex of the fetus. Metabolic differences between the sexesare clearly recognized in adults. It is therefore argued thatthe anthropometric differences at birth, examples of which arepresented in this paper, can only be achieved if the productsof conception are also expressing a sexual bias in metabolismand physiology. It would then be this bias which would determinethe efficiency of the implantation and growth processes andlead to rates of survival to birth. The speculation arisingfrom this and the experimental manipulation of the sex ratiois that the physiological component most likely to be involvedwould be the lipid compartment with its strong sex difference.