The Percentiles Of The Baby According To His Age

What are we referring to when we talk about baby percentiles? These are measurement diagrams that indicate the weight and height that, on average, a fetus or baby must have according to its age.

From the time a woman becomes pregnant until the next development of the baby,  percentiles are key to determining the appropriate weight and height. Hence the need for a thorough and regular check of the baby’s percentiles according to his age.

The importance of baby percentiles

Percentiles are measurement diagrams that indicate the weight and height that, on average, a fetus or baby must have according to its age. The World Health Organization has established these percentiles to minutely describe ideal growth.

Of course,  this average growth is possible if the baby grows up in a healthy environment  and adopts a balanced diet, suited to his age and needs.

Why is the percentile diagram so important? Baby percentiles are also important when the baby is still inside the mother’s belly.

The reason? Thanks to this diagram it is possible to determine if the growth and development of the baby are within normal standards. These kinds of parameters are  used to determine the gestational age and the development of the fetus.

Through the baby percentiles it is possible to determine if there is a problem of any kind. In other words, if there are sudden changes in weight gain or weight loss, or if the baby stops growing.

What is really crucial is that parents know that small variations within the values ​​of the diagram do not matter much. However,  if radical changes occur outside the percentile, it is important that they are studied.

Based on age, what are the percentiles of the baby?

Gestational age

During gestation, one of the most relevant data and to which to pay more attention is the percentile of height and weight. Of course, it is not yet possible to weigh the baby at this stage. However, through a number of means such as biparietal diameter and abdominal circumference, it is possible to determine these data.

In general, a baby who arrives at the end of pregnancy or, in other words, who reaches at least the 38th week of gestation without any inconvenience,  must measure between 45.5 and 53.5 centimeters. As for the weight, the ideal level is between 2,500 and 4,000 grams of weight.

Aspects such as  the duration of gestation, the health and nutrition of the mother are essential  for the correct development of the baby.

In this sense, it is known that mothers who smoke, those who take toxic substances and even those who adopt a low-calorie diet  run additional risks that can damage the growth of the fetus.

Percentiles over the course of life

It is the specialist doctor who has the task of informing parents if the child’s values ​​are within the normal growth percentiles. However, in general it is important to know that these values ​​usually lie between 3 and 97.

According to these parameters,  a child who is severely overweight or who is very tall for his age will be above the 97th percentile.

On the other hand,  an excessively thin child will rank below the 3rd percentile. The ideal is that the growth of the child, in addition to being within the established levels, remains stable and continuous.

A child who is in the 50th percentile is average. How, however, is it possible to understand the question of percentiles more easily?

If the baby is in the 80th percentile of height, it means that, compared to 100 other babies, he  will be taller than 79 others and shorter than the 20 who are above his level.

When should you worry about baby percentiles?

It is important for parents to know that some minor variations, whether above or below the limiting percentiles, are not of great importance.

In this sense, it  is useful to remember that, although there are established averages, every child is different. Consequently, aspects such as the height of the parents, the environment and nutrition exert a considerable influence on its characteristics.

The warning signal occurs  when there are sudden changes in weight and height from one check to the next. If these changes are constant, the specialist will likely order a series of tests to find out what is affecting the child’s development.

Another important aspect is to observe a possible arrest in growth. Also in this case it will be necessary to deduce what is the cause that is limiting the development.

It is important for parents to familiarize themselves with the issue of baby percentiles. In this way they will be more involved and attentive to possible changes that indicate a problem in the growth and development of their child.