InfantChart
Share:

WHO Height-for-Age Growth Chart (5-19 Years)

Plot your child's standing height against WHO Growth Reference 2007 data for ages 5-19 years. This international standard covers the school-age and adolescent growth period including puberty.

LMS Method: Z = ((X/M)^L - 1) / (L x S)

How It Works

This calculator uses the WHO Growth Reference 2007 for monitoring height in children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 years. The WHO reference is an international standard based on data reconstructed from multiple countries, describing how healthy school-age children and adolescents grow. The LMS method computes Z-scores and percentiles by comparing height to age- and sex-specific reference values.

Example Problem

A 10-year-old boy measures 138.6 cm in standing height. What is his height-for-age percentile?

  1. Enter the child's date of birth and measurement date (10 years apart).
  2. Select 'Boy' for gender.
  3. Enter 138.6 cm for height.
  4. The calculator finds the LMS parameters for boys at age 10 and computes the Z-score.
  5. Result: approximately the 50th percentile, as 138.6 cm is near the WHO median height for boys at age 10.

Key Concepts

Height-for-age in the 5-19 year range spans the pre-pubertal, pubertal, and post-pubertal periods. The pubertal growth spurt causes temporary acceleration in height gain, typically ages 10-14 for girls and 12-16 for boys. Children may temporarily shift percentile channels during puberty. Short stature (below the 3rd percentile or -2 Z-score) may be familial, constitutional, or may indicate growth hormone deficiency, chronic illness, or nutritional issues. Growth trends over time are more informative than a single measurement.

Applications

  • Routine growth monitoring at annual check-ups and school screenings
  • Evaluating short stature or tall stature concerns
  • Monitoring growth during the pubertal growth spurt
  • International height comparison using WHO reference data
  • Tracking growth in adolescents with chronic conditions

Common Mistakes

  • Not using a proper stadiometer — wall measurements with a book on the head are less accurate
  • Not accounting for the pubertal growth spurt when interpreting percentile changes
  • Using this chart for children under 5 — use WHO stature-for-age (2-5) or length-for-age (0-2) instead
  • Measuring with shoes on or without proper positioning
  • Comparing to CDC charts without noting that the reference populations differ

Frequently Asked Questions

What age range does this calculator cover?

This calculator uses the WHO Growth Reference 2007 for children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 years (60 to 228 months). For younger children, use our WHO 0-5 year stature-for-age calculator.

Should I measure height in cm or inches?

You can use centimeters, inches, or feet and inches. The calculator converts automatically. For the most accurate result, use a stadiometer reading from your doctor’s office.

How is this different from the CDC growth chart?

The WHO Growth Reference 2007 is an international standard based on data from multiple countries, while the CDC charts are based on US data from the 1960s-1990s. The WHO reference describes how children should grow under healthy conditions, while the CDC charts describe how US children actually grew.

When should I be concerned about my child’s height?

A single height measurement below the 3rd or above the 97th percentile, or a significant change in growth trajectory, may warrant discussion with your pediatrician. Growth patterns over time are more informative than any single measurement.

Reference: WHO Growth Reference 2007. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/tools/growth-reference-data-for-5to19-years

Related Calculators

Related Sites