Final answer:
A critical anthropometric measurement for a 2-year-old child is arm circumference, in addition to weight and height. These measurements are essential for monitoring the child's growth and nutritional status against WHO standards.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anthropometric Measurements for a 2-Year-Old Child
An important anthropometric measurement that a medical assistant should collect from a 2-year-old child is arm circumference. This measurement helps to assess the child's nutritional status, which is crucial as this age marks a significant point where children have reached about 50% of their adult height but will continue to grow in weight. Collecting accurate anthropometric data, such as arm circumference, weight, and height, is vital for monitoring the child’s growth and development against standardized growth charts to ensure they are within a healthy range. By comparing these measurements with the World Health Organization (WHO) child growth standards, healthcare professionals can identify potential nutritional or health issues early on, allowing for timely intervention if necessary.
Other key measurements include the child's weight and height, which are compared with standard values for children of the same age, to determine if the child is growing normally. Anomalies in growth patterns can indicate various health issues or malnutrition, which if uncorrected, might lead to permanent deficits in size or an increased risk of obesity in the future.
It is to note that while these measurements are essential, they should be considered in the context of individual variability, such as genetic factors, as children of smaller parents tend to be small as well.