59.3k views
2 votes
At birth a neonate was at the 75th percentile for weight for age. At age 6 months, he appears healthy and is at the 60th percentile for weight for age. The growth chart data most likely indicates that:

a. the child has a low calorie intake
b. the child is experiencing normal growth
c. the child may be experiencing protein-energy malnutrition
d. birth data were incorrect

1 Answer

7 votes

Final answer:

The growth chart data indicating a move from the 75th to the 60th percentile for weight for a 6-month-old healthy baby most likely signifies normal growth patterns, as infants are expected to double their birth weight by this age.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is concerned with the growth chart data of a neonate who was in the 75th percentile for weight at birth and moved to the 60th percentile by 6 months of age. Considering normal infant growth patterns, we can deduce that this indicates b. the child is experiencing normal growth.

According to the data provided, during the first year of life, an infant's rapid growth in both weight and length is expected, with general doubling of birth weight by six months and tripling by one year. The slight decrease in percentile ranking does not necessarily suggest undernutrition, as the baby appears to be healthy and there is no indication of any failure to thrive. It is important to note that growth rates can vary among healthy infants, and a child can grow at a different pace while still being within the normal growth range.

User Chrigu
by
8.0k points
Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.