Patterns of growth of Saudi boys and girls aged 0-24 months, Asir region, with a note on their rates of growth: a 1988 view

ABSTRACT

Data were collected among 2300 boys and 2220 girls aged 0-24 months in the Asir region, Saudi Arabia which yielded 13 560 sets of measurements. A cross-sectional analysis created standards describing the normal range of variation for supine length, weight and head circumference at different ages in both sexes. Increments of growth for supine length were calculated and presented to give an idea of the dynamics of growth during this sensitive period of life. The percentage of adult size was studied for different parameters at different ages which demonstrated clearly the phenomenon of a cranio-caudal maturity gradient. Our data showed girls to be more advanced along the road to maturity than boys. When our results were compared with similar data reported on Wadi Turaba infants 20 years ago, the Asir infants were found to be significantly taller and heavier suggesting a secular trend towards an increase in size amongst Saudi children. This is a good sign, reflecting the success of health programmes and the social system. On the other hand, the Asir infants were still found to be shorter and lighter than Europeans. The need for national growth standards to assess the growth status of Saudi children was highlighted