Linear growth and appropriate weight gain in children and adolescents is an overall indication of health and optimal nutritional status. Pediatric growth disorders may be diagnosed if a child grows too slowly (resulting in short stature) or too rapidly (resulting in excessively tall stature). Height deviations seen on growth charts may be the first sign of a hormone disorder or other chronic disease.
Accurate height and weight measurements at EVERY pediatric visit are paramount for the evaluation of a growth disorder.