**3. Growth monitoring**

Health professionals accept that routine growth monitoring in children is a standard component of community child health services (Department of Health and Social Security,UK, (HMSO), 1974). In both developing and developed countries, health workers monitor growth in order to detect problems, and where possible, intervene if there is evidence of malnutrition and growth problem. Health workers and mothers spend considerable time on this activity, because early detection of growth failure depends on effective monitoring (Reid, 1984). Monitoring requires accurate, regular measurements, accurate transcription of data to a growth chart and appropriate action if poor growth is identified. It is also important to ensure that measurements are performed consistently, using appropriate equipment and also using trained staff (Garner et al 2000). Inconsistencies

An association between physical problems affecting the mouth, and childhood growth, has been hypothesized and it has been suggested that dentists may be ideally placed to

The concept that dental disease and child's body weight may be related was raised as early as 1982, when a retrospective case-note study examined the body weights of children attending for general anaesthetic tooth extractions, were compared to children attending for routine dental care (Miller et al 1982) and subsequent studies have suggested that treatment of caries may lead to improvement in weight gain (Acs et al, 1998, 1999; Malek Mohammadi

This chapter presents evidence which strongly suggests that children's growth is affected by the state of their dental health. These relatively simple observations are very important, as they provides yet another reason for policy makers and Governments to invest time, resources and expertise in improving both children's diets, and their dental health. It is essential to remember that dental caries is one of only very few common childhood diseases which cause large numbers of the child population to undergo general anaesthesia. Children who are allowed to develop dental decay therefore suffer, not only in terms of potential effects on their growth and development, but also directly, as the treatment, if it is carried

Growth is a critical indicator of child health and its importance is recognized by the World Health Organization, which identifies growth assessment as the best single measure for defining the nutritional status and health of children, as well as being an indicator of quality

Normal growth is a sign of good health, and ill children often grow slowly. Growth in children is not simply an increase in height and weight, but is a complex process involving increases in both the size and number of cells. It is influenced by genetic factors, but a number of other factors are also relevant, including nutrition, and these may act to prevent the individual achieving his or her genetic potential. Measurement of growth indicators, such as weight, height and head circumference can give valuable information about a child's

Health professionals accept that routine growth monitoring in children is a standard component of community child health services (Department of Health and Social Security,UK, (HMSO), 1974). In both developing and developed countries, health workers monitor growth in order to detect problems, and where possible, intervene if there is evidence of malnutrition and growth problem. Health workers and mothers spend considerable time on this activity, because early detection of growth failure depends on effective monitoring (Reid, 1984). Monitoring requires accurate, regular measurements, accurate transcription of data to a growth chart and appropriate action if poor growth is identified. It is also important to ensure that measurements are performed consistently, using appropriate equipment and also using trained staff (Garner et al 2000). Inconsistencies

out using general anaesthesia poses a serious health risk to the children involved.

recognize children at risk of poor growth and development (Boyd, 1998).

et al, 2009) at least in children whose growth is below average.

**2. Principles of normal growth** 

of life in whole populations (Hall, 1996).

nutritional well-being and growth pattern.

**3. Growth monitoring** 

can occur at a number of stages, including in the setting up and calibration of equipment, the measuring techniques used, and the recording of data.

Growth monitoring may be done through height and weight measurements but a variety of other indices such as supine length, standing height, height velocity, weight velocity, weight for height, height for weight, Body Mass Index(BMI) and many more other measurements are also considered relevant.

In order to interpret biological variables such as height and weight, it is important to compare them with normal data for children of the same age and, where appropriate, sex. Accurate measurement and the use of standard growth charts are important tools for monitoring a child's growth.
