A Longitudinal Growth Study from Birth to Maturity for Weight, Height and Head Circumference of Normal Iranian Children Compared with Western Norms: A Standard for Growth of Iranian Children

Background: At the present there is no growth reference for Iranian children, and cross-sectional studies indicate that Iranian children grow at a lower percentile curve than Western children. Aim: The present longitudinal study was undertaken: 1. To establish a growth standard for Iranian children and, 2. To compare their growth with Western norms. Methods: Weight, length, height, and head circumference were measured from birth to maturity in 180 boys and 180 girls living in Shiraz in socioeconomic conditions similar to high income groups in Western Europe and USA. Raw data and smoothed distance curves are reported here. Results: The 3rd, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, and 97th percentiles of the measurements were not significantly different from London and NCHS standards. Conclusion: 1. These data can be used as standard for the growth of Iranian children. 2. The growth potential for Iranian children is similar to that of West European and US children. 3. Data from crosssectional studies performed in developing countries should not ideally be used as standards.