Intra-individual difference between recumbent length and stature among growing children

Abstract

Objective : Difference between recumbent length and stature in an individual has been observed by many researchers in the past in European and American populations. The present study explores the intra-individual differences between recumbent length and stature (R.L.-Stature). Methods : A sample of 920 school-going children was considered in Chandigarh city. Result : These differences are found to be statistically significant and have definite relationship with age and weight of the children. The mean difference between recumbent length and stature is found to be greater in males than in females between 5 through 10 years and between 15 through 18 years of age. However, between 10 through 15 years, it was greater in females than in males. Conclusion : This was largely due to the fact that adolescent spurt in stature preceded by two to three years in girls than that of boys. This difference was also found to be significantly correlated with age, weight and stature in both the sexes. Two regression equations are derived separately for the two sexes, from which, one can convert recumbent length into stature and vice-versa. [Indian J Pediatr 2002; 69 (7) : 565-570].