Does WHO child growth standards suitable for Indian Children: A comparison of anthropometric measurements from a cross-sectional survey

Abstract Background:Growth charts are fundamental tools for monitoring individual infants and children. But the current WHO-specified growth standards generally rely on single, one-size-fits-all cut-offs. Methods:The present study developed a new growth reference of Indian children aged 0-60 months using 2005-2006 & 2015-16 National Family and Health Survey data. Results:Box-Cox power exponential (BCPE) distribution and lambda mu sigma (LMS) model suggested that the median height for Indian children at age five years was 6.35 cm (boys) and 4.23cm (girls) lower than the World Health Organization (WHO) growth reference values, 2006. A similar height value for age is observed in both Indian and WHO growth curves at younger generations. However, a significant height difference was observed in WHO growth curves compared to Indians at later ages. Relatively heavier children in the WHO standard appeared at later ages than the Indian growth curve. Conclusions:The study recommended high priority in using national derived reference data, which correctly define growth trajectories in children.