Application of WHO growth standards in the UK - Joint SACN/RCPCH Expert Group on Growth Standards

The World Health Organization published "WHO Children Growth Standards" for infants and children up to the age of 5 years in June 2006 (ISBN 9789241546935). The standards describe the growth of infants in six different countries who were predominantly breastfed for at least four months, or three months respectively and were living in a well supported health environment. It is argued that the data describes how children should grow and represent a standard rather than a reference. In the UK, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has recommended the use of UK1990 growth reference charts. These charts fit contemporary data better than available alternatives, however it is recognised that they do not describe the growth of exclusively breastfed children.The Department of Health asked the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition, in collaboration with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, for an opinion on the relevance of WHO Growth Standards to growth monitoring and population surveillance in the UK. This report to the Department of Health advises on the applicability of WHO Growth Standards for children aged 0-5 years in the UK. It offers background to the history of growth charts and comparison of WHO Growth Standards with UK1990 Growth References and UK Cohorts. Preferred age is between 24 and 60 months for joining the WHO Growth Standard and the UK1990 reference. This title outlines recommendations for the use of WHO Growth Standards and the UK1990 growth reference.