J Korean Med Sci.  2013 Oct;28(10):1512-1517. 10.3346/jkms.2013.28.10.1512.

Longitudinal Standards for Height and Height Velocity in Korean Children and Adolescents: the Kangwha Cohort Study

• Chae HW
• Suh I
• Kwon AR
• Kim YJ
• Kim YH
• Kang DR
• Kim HY
• Oh SM
• Kim HC
• Kim DH
• Kim HS

• KMID: 1777690
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2013.28.10.1512

Abstract

Longitudinal standards for height and height velocity are essential to monitor for appropriate linear growth. We aimed to construct standards in Korean children and adolescents through the population-based longitudinal Kangwha study. Our study was a part of a community-based prospective cohort study from 1986 to 1999 with 800 school children. Height and height velocity were recorded annually from age 6 until final height. Results were compared with cross-sectional data from the 2007 Korean National Growth Charts. Final height was 173.5 cm in boys and 160.5 cm in girls. Although final height was similar between longitudinal and cross-sectional standards, the mean height for age was higher in the longitudinal standard by 1-4 cm from age 6 until the completion of puberty. Using the longitudinal standard, age at peak height velocity (PHV) was 12 in boys and 10 in girls; height velocity at PHV was 8.62 cm/yr in boys and 7.07 cm/yr in girls. The mean height velocity was less than 1 cm/yr at age 17 in boys and 15 in girls. Thus, we have presented the first report of longitudinal standards for height and height velocity in Korean children and adolescents by analyzing longitudinal data from the Kangwha cohort.

Keyword

Growth; Height Velocity; Longitudinal Studies; Reference Standards; Child

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
*Body Height
Child
Cohort Studies
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
*Growth Charts
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Prospective Studies
Republic of Korea
Young Adult

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Longitudinal height standard curves in Korean children and adolescents. Height attained for boys (A) and girls (B) from 6 to 19 yr of age and comparison of longitudinal (heavy lines) and cross-sectional standards (dotted line). The dotted line is the calculated 50th percentile line derived from cross-sectional data from the 2007 Korean National Growth Charts. P, percentile.

• 

  Fig. 2 Longitudinal curves for height velocity in Korean children and adolescents. Height velocity for boys (A) and girls (B) from 7 to 19 yr of age and comparison of longitudinal (heavy lines) and cross-sectional standards (dotted line). The dotted line is the calculated pseudo-50th percentile line derived from cross-sectional data from the 2007 Korean National Growth Charts. P, percentile.

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