Child growth is a complex process involving several factors, mainly genetic. The first phase of growth is the moment of life in which the human being grows the most.
Although the growth of each child is different, in the first years of life there is a rapid increase in the height and weight of the child that follows the same growth pattern. How much does a child grow in childhood and how much will he measure as an adult?
In the first two years of life children increase in size at exceptional speed; after two years it is estimated that they have increased approximately 37.5 centimeters, about three quarters of what they measured at birth (taking into account the average of the newborn of 50 centimeters).
From three years to puberty, in the second phase, the growth will be more constant, accelerating again at puberty, the third phase of growth.
During early childhood there is spectacular growth in a short period of time.
In Babies and more How and how much do children grow up? The four stages of growthFactors involved in growth
As we said, growth is a complex process that although it has a strong genetic component, there are also other factors that intervene and interact in its correct development:
Endogenous factors: genetic, hormonal, ethnic and metabolic.
Exogenous factors: nutritious, affective, regular practice of physical exercise.
Growth during the first year of life
At birth, all human beings have a similar measure. Although there are obviously variations, a child at birth measures, on average 50 centimeters.
Each baby is conditioned by genetic factors or circumstances that have been able to affect uterine growth and that is what makes the size vary at birth.
On average, during the first year the child grows about 25 centimeters, that is half of what he measured at birth, a growth that will not be repeated in the rest of life.
An average size increase of two centimeters per month is estimated, although growth is not uniform, but increases more rapidly during the first months and slows down as the child approaches the year of life.
Thus, at the age of one year, the child can reach 75 centimeters on average
Growth during the second year of life
The speed of growth produced the previous year will not occur again, and this year it will be reduced by half, that is, the child will grow about 12.5 centimeters.
In any case, it is still a considerable growth, since we talk about one centimeter per month, although it is not uniform.
At two years of chronological age, the child will have reached 87.5 centimeters in height, approximately.
The proportion should be calculated according to the size of the baby at birth. That is, a baby who at birth measured 48 centimeters, it is estimated that half a year, 24 centimeters, will increase by one year, that is, approximately 72 centimeters.
During the second year it is estimated that it will grow half that of the previous year: 12 centimeters, that is to say that when it turns two years it will measure about 84 centimeters.
How much it will grow from two years onwards
After two years the child will continue to grow at a constant rhythm, but at a slower speed.
Thus, between two and three years it is estimated to increase an average of 8 centimeters, between three and four, 7 centimeters, between four and five, 6 centimeters, and from 6 years an average of 4 centimeters per year.
How tall you will be: size target
To calculate how much you will be when you grow up, or what is the same, the final height that the child will have as an adult, there is a formula known as target size. It is an estimated calculation, different for men and women, based on the height of the parents.
It gives an expected height, that is, it does not give an exact result but an approximate measure with a wide variation of plus or minus 8.5 centimeters, which for the purpose of calculating a height is very inaccurate.
Target size
Is calculated:
* Men= (height of the father + height of the mother) divided by two plus 6.5 centimeters.
* Women= (height of the father + height of the mother) divided by two minus 6.5 centimeters.
This calculation must be estimated at ± 8.5 centimeters that may vary.
Example:
For example, if the father measures 180 centimeters and the mother measures 168 centimeters, the calculation would be: (180 + 168) divided by two (174) plus 6.5 = 180.5 centimeters is the estimated height in the case of being a son. With a margin of plus minus 8.5, that is to say that your size will oscillate between 172 centimeters and 189 centimeters. As we said a too wide variation that covers the height of most adult men.
In the case of girls, the 174 obtained would have to be subtracted, 6.5 = 167.5 should be subtracted. I mean the size will range between 176 and 159 centimeters.
Double the height of two years
Another extended method, although there is no research to prove its accuracy, is to multiply by two the height of the child at two years of age.
Of course, each child has its own growth rate, therefore the measures must be interpreted statistically. As with the growth charts, you have to know how to interpret them. Please, in no case do you think that the child has any problem because he has not reached the 87.5 centimeters provided at two years.
Growth is a dynamic process in which multiple factors influence and must always be controlled by a pediatrician.
How and how much do children grow up? The four stages of growth
