[Reference values of the height and weight growth and growth rate of Belgian boys and girls 3-18 years of age].

Background: Belgian growth standards have until now been based on cross-sectional studies. This paper describes the first Belgian longitudinal growth standards for height and height velocity and recent cross-sectional standards of weight-for-age.

Population and methods: The study was conducted between 1955 and 1975, initially on 259 Belgian boys and girls born in Brussels between 1955 and 1958. Only 48 boys and 50 girls were still being checked for height and weight at the end of the study. The distance charts show the classical centile lines; the height standards are provided with growth curves for the typical early average and late-maturing child in the population. The velocity charts show centiles for whole-year increments in height. Individual-type velocity curves are also provided.

Results: Comparison between these standards and those for British children shows that the Belgian children (essentially the girls) are taller than the British, probably due to more rapid maturation.