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Growth faltering: setting the scene

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 64, pages S2–S4 (2010)Cite this article

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Growth is the main characteristic of childhood and a sensitive indicator of the child's nutritional status. From conception to adulthood, growth can be divided into different periods, including intrauterine, infancy, childhood and adolescence (puberty). Prenatal growth is the most dramatic phase, achieving a velocity that is never again matched. Infancy is the second most rapid growth period, with the infant gaining 20 cm a year during the initial months, contrasting with 10–20 cm a year by the age of 1. Pubertal growth is another period of rapid growth. Both the first two years of life and puberty may be called the ‘rendezvous’ of growth, and are not to be missed.

Many factors influence growth, as demonstrated by the so-called secular trend of growth (Larnkjaer et al., 2006) and more recently by the WHO growth standards (WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study Group, 2006). The secular trend of growth relates to changes in multiple factors, including conditions of life, reduced infectious diseases, nutritional supply, and so on. WHO growth standards show that preschool children, from different parts of the world, seem to have the same growth pattern if they have optimal nutrition and socioeconomic conditions. These are therefore clearly important considerations when designing optimal nutrient supplies early in life. Each period has its own characteristic pattern in terms of linear growth velocity and weight gain, although the mechanisms regulating growth differ (nutrition, growth hormone secretion, insulin-like growth factor-1 etc.). Growth velocity is the main indicator of nutritional status in paediatrics at any stage of development. The body changes during growth along the life cycle from birth to adulthood; for example, fat mass increases by a factor of 22 and protein increases by a factor of 30.

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  1. Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Hospital Necker-Enfants Malades, University of Paris Descartes, Paris, France

    O Goulet

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Correspondence to O Goulet.

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O Goulet has received lecture fees from Nutricia/Danone and is also negotiating a grant with Fresenius Kabi.

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Goulet, O. Growth faltering: setting the scene. Eur J Clin Nutr 64 (Suppl 1), S2–S4 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2010.38

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