The Development of Standardized National Head Circumference Growth Charts for Jordanian Children Aged 0-5 Years: A Longitudinal and Cross-Sectional Study.

ABSTRACT: Background: Head circumference (HC) is a key indicator of growth and brain development in children, used to identify abnormalities like microcephaly and macrocephaly. While WHO growth standards are widely adopted, they may not account for regional variations due to genetic, environmental, and socio-economic factors. This study aimed to develop and validate national HC growth charts for Jordanian children aged 0-5 years and compare them with WHO standards. Method: This study analyzed 628,456 HC measurements from 250,276 Jordanian children (51.6% boys, 48.4% girls) aged 0-1800 days, using data from the Hakeem program. Only healthy children were included. HC measurements followed international guidelines, and data were analyzed using the Lambda-Mu-Sigma (LMS) statistical method.

SUBMITTER: Al-Qerem W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11854488 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature