Growth assessment in abnormal children.

Growth assessments are made in children to monitor their growth with time. In children with chronic disease, these data aid in determining the effect of disease on growth and planning and evaluating therapy. Stature is the most important aspect of physical growth, but weight, body composition, skeletal maturation, and sexual development are also important. Methods for making these assessments are given. Techniques for data reduction and statistical treatment of data comparing groups of children are discussed.