Z-score growth reference data for Saudi preschool children.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of growth using Z-score methods is important for clinical care and research, yet growth reference Z-score data for preschool Saudi children are not available. OBJECTIVE: Establish Z-score tables and corresponding growth charts. DESIGN: Uses data from a national survey in 2004-2005. SETTING: Community-based random sample of preschool Saudi children. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Raw data from the previous nationally representative sample were analyzed using the L, M, and S statistical methods to calculate Z-scores of growth. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Z-scores reference values for weight, length/height, head circumference, weight for length/height, and body mass index for age for boys and girls from birth to 60 months of age. RESULTS: For 15 601 Saudi children (7896, 50.6 % boys) Z-score tables and graphs from birth to 60 months of age were derived for boys and girls. The tables and graphs include weight for age, length/height for age, head circumference for age, weight for length/height, and BMI for age. CONCLUSION: Z-score reference data on the growth of preschool Saudi infants and children is essential for healthcare and research. LIMITATION: Does not include regional variations.

Growth reference for Saudi school-age children and adolescents: LMS parameters and percentiles.

BACKGROUND: Information on LMS parameters and percentiles reference for Saudi children and adolescents is not available. OBJECTIVE: To report the L, M, and S parameters and percentile reference graphs for growth. DESIGN: Field survey of a population-based sample of Saudi school-age children and adolescents (5-18 years of age). SETTING: A stratified listing of the Saudi population. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Data from the national study of healthy children were reanalyzed using the Lamba-Mu-Sigma (LMS) methodology. The LMS parameters of percentiles for weight, height, and body mass index for age were calculated for children and adolescents from 5 to 18 years of age. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The main outcomes were the LMS parameters and percentiles of growth. RESULTS: There were 19299 and 9827 (50.9%) were boys. The data for weight, height, and BMI for age for boys and girls are reported for the 3rd, 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, 95th, and 97th percentiles including LMS parameters for each percentile and age. Figures corresponding to each table are color coded (blue for boys and pink for girls). CONCLUSIONS: This report provides a reference for growth and nutrition of Saudi school-age children and adolescents. The detailed LMS and percentile tables and graphs provide essential information for clinical assessment of nutritional status and growth in various clinical conditions and for research. LIMITATIONS: This report does not reflect regional variations in growth.