📈 WHO · IAP 2015 · Free · India
WHO / IAP Growth Chart
Calculator — India
Weight, height, BMI and head circumference Z-scores with SAM/MAM/stunting classification. WHO 0–5 years · IAP 2015 5–18 years.
Weight-for-Age
Height-for-Age
BMI-for-Age
Head Circumference
Z-Score · Percentile
SAM · MAM · Stunting
Growth monitoring in Indian children uses WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study (MGRS) 2006 standards for ages 0–5 years, and IAP 2015 reference charts for 5–18 years. This calculator computes the Z-score (standard deviation score) and percentile for your child's measurement, and classifies nutritional status as SAM, MAM, underweight, normal, overweight, or obese as per standard definitions.
📊 Enter Measurements
Age
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Z-Score
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Percentile
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Z-Score Position
-3 SD
SAM-2 SD-1 SDMedian+1 SD+2 SD+3 SD
SAM-2 SD-1 SDMedian+1 SD+2 SD+3 SD
📚 Classification Reference — WHO Z-Score Cutoffs
⚖ Weight-for-Age (Undernutrition Classification)
| Z-Score | Classification | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Below -3 SD | SAM Severe Acute Malnutrition | Immediate referral for therapeutic feeding (NRC/hospital) |
| -3 to -2 SD | MAM Moderate Acute Malnutrition | Supplementary nutrition programme, close monitoring |
| -2 to -1 SD | Mildly Underweight | Dietary counselling, follow-up in 1 month |
| -1 to +1 SD | Normal | Continue routine care |
| +1 to +2 SD | Possible Risk of Overweight | Dietary review, activity counselling |
| Above +2 SD | Overweight | Dietary counselling, rule out endocrine cause |
| Above +3 SD | Obese | Detailed assessment, rule out pathological cause |
📈 Height-for-Age (Stunting Classification)
| Z-Score | Classification | Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Below -3 SD | Severely Stunted | Chronic severe undernutrition, early childhood |
| -3 to -2 SD | Stunted | Chronic undernutrition, irreversible if prolonged |
| -2 to -1 SD | Mildly Stunted | Nutrition/genetic factors, monitor |
| -1 to +2 SD | Normal | Routine care |
| Above +2 SD | Tall | Usually normal variant; rule out precocious puberty if early |
📈 BMI-for-Age (Wasting / Overweight)
| Z-Score | Classification | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Below -3 SD | SAM / Severe Wasting | Immediate therapeutic feeding, NRC referral |
| -3 to -2 SD | Wasting / Thinness | Supplementary feeding, nutritional rehabilitation |
| -2 to +1 SD | Normal | Routine care |
| +1 to +2 SD | Possible Overweight | Dietary and activity counselling |
| Above +2 SD | Overweight / Obese | Full assessment, rule out pathology |
● Head Circumference-for-Age (0–2 Years)
| Z-Score | Classification | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Below -3 SD | Severe Microcephaly | Urgent neurology/genetics referral |
| -3 to -2 SD | Microcephaly | Neurological evaluation, developmental assessment |
| -2 to +2 SD | Normal | Routine care |
| Above +2 SD | Macrocephaly | Rule out hydrocephalus; family HC measurement helpful |
❓ FAQs — Growth Chart India
What is SAM and MAM in the growth chart?+
SAM (Severe Acute Malnutrition) = Weight-for-Age or BMI-for-Age Z-score below -3SD. MAM (Moderate Acute Malnutrition) = Z-score between -3SD and -2SD. SAM requires immediate referral to a Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre (NRC). MAM requires supplementary nutrition programme and close monitoring.
What is stunting and how is it different from wasting?+
Stunting = low height-for-age (Z below -2SD) — reflects chronic, long-term undernutrition. Wasting = low weight-for-height or low BMI-for-age — reflects acute, recent undernutrition. A child can be both stunted and wasted simultaneously. Stunting is harder to reverse once it occurs.
What is the WHO Z-score and how is it calculated?+
Z-score = (child's measurement − reference median) / reference SD. Z = 0 is the 50th percentile. Z = -2 is the 2.3rd percentile. Z = +2 is the 97.7th percentile. This calculator uses the WHO LMS reference data for 0–5 years and IAP 2015 data for 5–18 years.
What is the difference between WHO and IAP growth charts in India?+
WHO growth charts (MGRS 2006) represent optimal growth in healthy, well-nourished children across all ethnicities — used for 0–5 years. IAP 2015 charts are based on Indian children aged 5–18 years and better reflect growth patterns during school age and adolescence in India.
What is normal head circumference for a newborn in India?+
Normal HC at birth: approximately 33–37 cm (WHO reference median = 34.5 cm for boys, 33.9 cm for girls). Below -2SD may suggest microcephaly. Above +2SD may suggest macrocephaly or familial large head. HC is measured routinely at every visit up to 2 years.
At what age is weight-for-height used instead of weight-for-age in India?+
Weight-for-Height (or BMI-for-age) is preferred over weight-for-age for assessing acute malnutrition (wasting), especially in children under 5. For children who are tall or short for their age, weight-for-height gives a better picture of current nutritional status than weight-for-age alone.
Disclaimer: This calculator uses WHO MGRS 2006 reference data (0–5 years) and IAP 2015 reference data (5–18 years) with linear interpolation. Results are approximate. Always verify against official plotted growth charts for clinical decisions. Z-scores are estimates and should be interpreted alongside clinical examination. This tool does not replace medical assessment.