Health care for children is different from adult health care chiefly because children are growing and developing and they are reliant on families and caregivers for health care. Charting a child's height, weight and development over time is an important part of screening for potential health problems. Children, on average, double their weight in one year, triple it by age 3 and by age 15, they will be 13 times their birth weight. While most children will develop on schedule, physical or behavioral imbalances in development are important to identify since the child is passing through numerous critical stages very quickly. The American Academy of Pediatrics and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend use of a growth chart and a “Developmental/ Behavioral Assessment” for each preventive health care visit. ⁽¹⁾  Early identification and intervention at critical developmental stages can prevent, ameliorate or lessen the harmful impact of many diseases and disabilities. Ear infections and amblyopia or “lazy eye” are examples of childhood diseases or events that can result in life-long impairments or can be ameliorated with early identification and treatment.

Figure 1: Average Weight and Height of U.S. Children and Youth D

Source: Graphs were developed from data on Growth Charts developed by the National Center for Health Statistics and Center for Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2000) http://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts

Many factors contribute to a child's good health and development. Genetics and environment interactively affect physical, social and emotional development. Economic conditions related to poverty such as poor nutrition, inadequate housing and exposure to environmental hazards affect a child's health and development. Children with special health care needs require specific health care to ensure optimal developmental potential. Stable constructive involvement of other adults (e.g., teachers, relatives, religious leaders and neighbors) in their lives and their family's lives can be crucial for healthy development, especially for families and children experiencing risks and difficult life events. Social and behavioral patterns of families engaged in destructive behaviors such as abuse, domestic violence, alcoholism, and smoking unfortunately provide the wrong kinds of behaviors for children to emulate. Understanding the opportunities and threats to optimal development in children and youth is important to giving each the best chance to fully realize their potential.