Sammanfattning
Background. The growth charts currently used in Norway, are based on measurements from the 1970s and 80s. New data, collected in 2003 - 06, are available from the Bergen Growth Study. In 2006, WHO presented international growth charts, for 0 - 5 year-old children, which are currently being considered for use in Norway.
Material and method. New growth charts, based on data from the Bergen Growth Study and the Medical Birth Registry of Norway, are presented for children aged 0 - 19 years. These new charts were compared with other Norwegian growth charts and the WHO growth standard.
Results. Length, height and weight for Norwegian children aged 0 - 4 years in the Bergen Growth Study are marginally different from those in the Norwegian growth charts in current use. However, in older children the 50-percentile for height has increased up to 3.4 cm in boys and 2.5 cm in girls. For children older than four years, weight-for-height has increased for the upper percentiles especially. Percentile lines in the new Norwegian reference-for birth weight and weight in general, weight-for-height and head circumference-are positioned above the WHO standard for children aged 6 months - 5 years.
Interpretation. The secular trends in growth indicate that new growth charts are needed in Norway. The fact that Norwegian children?s height and weight differ from the WHO standards, may reflect that the populations come from different environments or have a different growth potential.