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Case Example 4: Transitioning from the WHO Weight-for-Length Chart to the CDC BMI-for-Age Chart at Age 2 Years

Gustavo is a 2-year-6-month old boy who has been followed by his health care provider since he was an infant. His weight and length have been plotted on the WHO weight-for-length chart at each visit. Also, Gustavo's weight has been plotted on the WHO weight-for-age growth chart.1

At 24 months of age, his health care provider changes from the WHO weight-for-length growth chart to the CDC BMI-for-age chart to continue tracking Gustavo's growth. At 24 months of age his weight and length are plotted on the WHO weight-for-length chart and the CDC BMI-for-age chart.

DateAgeWt (lbs)Length (in)Stature (in)BMI-for-age
CDC %tile
1/21/201021 months22.231.5  
4/19/201024 months24.433.75  
4/19/20102 years24.4 33.515
10/19/20102 years 6 months27.0 3525

1Weight-for-age is important in early infancy for monitoring weight and helping to explain changes in weight-for-length. Weight-for-age is not used to classify infants and children as under or overweight. It reflects body weight relative to age and is influenced by recent changes in health or nutrition status.

Comparing Weight-for-Length Plotted on the WHO Weight-for-Length Growth Chart and the CDC BMI-for-Age Growth Chart
WHO Weight-for-Length Growth Chart

WHO Weight-for-Length Growth Chart
 magnifing glassSee complete chart
CDC BMI-for-Age Growth Chart

CDC BMI-for-Age Growth Chart
 magnifing glassSee complete chart

Using the WHO Weight-for-Length Growth Chart

At 24 months of age when Gustavo's weight and length are plotted on the WHO weight-for-length growth chart he is between 25th and 50th percentiles. This represents a healthy weight.

Using the CDC BMI-for-Age Growth Chart

At 24 months when his Body Mass Index is plotted on the CDC BMI-for-age chart, his BMI is around the 15th percentile. This represents a healthy weight.

Transitioning from the WHO Weight-for-Length Chart to the CDC BMI-for-Age Chart

When transitioning from the WHO weight-for-length growth chart to the CDC BMI-for-age growth chart at age two years, Gustavo's growth indicators moved from between the 25th and 50th percentile to the 15th percentile. All percentiles represent a healthy weight.

When moving from the WHO weight-for-length chart to the CDC BMI-for-age chart a change in percentile classification may occur. This may be due, in part, to changing from recumbent length to standing height measurements.

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Comment: During the transition from the WHO weight-for-length chart to the CDC BMI-for-age chart at age 2 years, caution should be used in interpreting any change in percentiles based on a single measurement. Growth monitoring is based on a series of accurate measurements rather than on a single plot on a growth chart, in this case the CDC BMI-for-age chart, to avoid misinterpretation.

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