Child Health A-Z

Normal Growth

What is considered a normal growth rate?

Growth not only involves length and weight of a body, but also includes internal growth and development. A child's brain will grow the most during the first five years of life, reaching 90 percent of its final size. Growth also affects different parts of the body at different rates; the head reaches almost its entire size by age one. Throughout childhood, a child's body becomes more proportional to other parts of his/her body. Growth is complete between the ages of 16 and 18, at which time the growing ends of bones fuse.

Important indicators in a child's growth and development are height, weight, and head circumference. A child's health status correlates closely to this growth and development. This pattern is plotted on a growth chart. The following are some average ranges of weight and height, based on growth charts developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

Age	Height - Females (in inches)	Height - Males (in inches)	Weight - Females (in pounds)	Weight - Males (in pounds)
1	27 to 31	28 to 32	15 to 20	17 to 21
2	31.5 to 36	32 to 37	22 to 32	24 to 34
3	34.5 to 40	35.5 to 40.5	26 to 38	26 to 38
4	37 to 42.5	37.5 to 43	28 to 44	30 to 44
6	42 to 49	42 to 49	36 to 60	36 to 60
8	47 to 54	47 to 54	44 to 80	46 to 78
10	50 to 59	50.5 to 59	54 to 106	54 to 102
12	55 to 64	54 to 63.5	68 to 136	66 to 130
14	59 to 67.5	59 to 69.5	84 to 160	84 to 160
16	60 to 68	63 to 73	94 to 172	104 to 186
18	60 to 68.5	65 to 74	100 to 178	116 to 202

Although a child may be growing, his/her growth pattern may deviate from the normal. Ultimately, the child should grow to normal height by adulthood. If you suspect your child is not growing properly, always consult your child's physician.

Last Update
February 3, 2008

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