Confused about measurements

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Colin was measured by Dr. H this summer as 35.5 inches standing up

(she used a book to account for his assymetry) and his weight was

30lbs. His weight for height was too high somewhere around 50-75%.

Then in Sept. he was measured lying down on the board at 36.4 inches

(using the longer leg). At this appt. his weight for height was 25%

ile - back where it should be.

Today Colin had his annual endocrinologist appt. and they measured

him at 36 " standing up (without a book under shorter leg). His

weight was 29.7 lbs fully clothed with a diaper on. The doctor said

this was 25%ile for both weight and height and 50% weight to height

ratio. But, when I get home and plot it on our growth curve it is

only 10%ile for height. And I'm concerned because a small difference

in height really impacts the weight to height ratio. He really seems

to have slimmed down and I don't want to see him lose any additional

weight, but at 50% weight to height, I know this is higher than Dr.

H likes to see. I just don't know whose measurement is the most

accurate! What do you think?

Colin (RSS) & Hayden - who turn 3 on Saturday!

[Guest guest]

,

I would not worry about all this measurement stuff. If Colin's endo

thinks Colin is doing well, then just let it be. You have enough

going on. The twins will be three this weekend and you have baby #3

almost due. Just relax and enjoy the time together. You are doing

a great job.

Jodi Z.

[Guest guest]

Dr. H's measurements can only be compared to her own. This is

because she uses a very precise measurement device called a

stadiometer -- which uses weight to rest on the head. She also, as

you said, adjusts for asymmetry, which can chance a child's height

as well. On top of that, she tends to " stretch " the child's neck.

So all in all, her measurements are the truest to " real height "

however, we have always found that her heights are HIGHER than when

is measured a day later at the pediatrician, when they line

up against a wall.

A measurement laying down can NEVER be compared to standing up.

Laying down will give a child anywhere from 1/2 inch to 1 inch MORE

in length than in height when the child is standing up.

This is way so often MAGIC gets calls from parents whose child

hasn't grown in 6 months at age 2. The knowing smile.... probably

the child was last measured laying down, and now is measured

standing up. Everyone - make sure you look at your child's medical

records so you know which of your child's measurements are " length "

versus " height. "

- I would guess that between late July (convention Dr. H) and

Sept (laying down measurement) he probably hadn't grown more than

1/4 inch or so -- putting these two measurements probably very close

together (taking into consideration an extra 3/4 or so for the

laying down).

But this is why is weight for LENGTH was back to 10% -- you are

comparing apples to oranges. Weight for length is different than

weight for height.

Your endo that measured him at 36 " -- this may simply be the 1/2

inch discrepancy that comes from Dr. H using the asymmetry leveling,

and the stretching of the neck, etc.

I hope this makes sense. Email me if it doesn't.

But , (and everyone) -- you are experiencing why Dr. H always

wants the doctor's name written next to each measurement in the

growth history. One can only compare consistent measurements --

same scale, same clothing. If your child is measured with clothes

on for weight, then each time this needs to happen. If he is

measured with a book to adjust asymmetry, make sure it happens each

time. Make sure the nurse measures your child THREE times, and take

the average. Find out the leg length discrepancy, find a journal or

book that is similar thickness, and bring that to each measuring

time (in New York, Dr. H has various journals of different

thicknesses, and on the covers are written our children's names!!!!).

Let me know if this makes sense.

> Hi,

>

> Colin was measured by Dr. H this summer as 35.5 inches standing up

> (she used a book to account for his assymetry) and his weight was

> 30lbs. His weight for height was too high somewhere around 50-75%.

>

> Then in Sept. he was measured lying down on the board at 36.4

inches

> (using the longer leg). At this appt. his weight for height was 25%

> ile - back where it should be.

>

> Today Colin had his annual endocrinologist appt. and they measured

> him at 36 " standing up (without a book under shorter leg). His

> weight was 29.7 lbs fully clothed with a diaper on. The doctor

said

> this was 25%ile for both weight and height and 50% weight to

height

> ratio. But, when I get home and plot it on our growth curve it is

> only 10%ile for height. And I'm concerned because a small

difference

> in height really impacts the weight to height ratio. He really

seems

> to have slimmed down and I don't want to see him lose any

additional

> weight, but at 50% weight to height, I know this is higher than

Dr.

> H likes to see. I just don't know whose measurement is the most

> accurate! What do you think?

>

>

> Colin (RSS) & Hayden - who turn 3 on Saturday!