A 3-year-old child measures 88 cm in height. The child was 50 cm at birth and 75 cm at 1 year. What is the expected approximate height of this child at 4 years of age, assuming normal growth velocity for this age group?
- A 92 cm
- B 96 cm ✓
- C 100 cm
- D 104 cm
Correct answer: B. 96 cm
Explanation
After the rapid growth of infancy, children gain approximately 7 to 8 cm per year from age 2 years until puberty. This is the childhood growth phase, governed primarily by growth hormone. A 3-year-old at 88 cm would be expected to reach approximately 95 to 96 cm by age 4 years. The formula for height at age 2 to 12 years is age in years multiplied by 6 plus 77 cm, giving 95 cm at 4 years.
Reference: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 21st ed.
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