The normal weight at birth for a term neonate is approximately 3.2 kg (±0.4 kg). What is the expected weight of a healthy Indian child at 1 year of age, and the formula used to estimate weight (in kg) for children 1–6 years?
- A 8 kg; formula: age (years) × 2 + 8
- B 9 kg; formula: age (years) × 2 + 8
- C 10 kg; formula: age (years) × 3 + 2 ✓
- D 9 kg; formula: age (months) / 3 + 3
Correct answer: C. 10 kg; formula: age (years) × 3 + 2
Explanation
A healthy term neonate triples birth weight by 1 year of age: from ~3.2–3.4 kg to ~10 kg. The standard formula for estimating weight in children aged 1–6 years (used in Indian textbooks including Ghai) is: Weight (kg) = Age in years × 2 + 8. However, some sources use the APLS formula for 1–5 years: Weight (kg) = (Age + 4) × 2. For Indian children specifically, many textbooks cite that at 1 year weight = 3× birth weight ≈ 9–10 kg. The most tested formula for NEET PG (1–6 years) is Age × 2 + 8. At 1 year: 1×2+8=10, which corresponds well to the triple birth weight milestone.
Reference: Ghai Essential Pediatrics, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.