The growth stage is schemes of measurements that allow to value and compare the growth of the child in relation to a standard status.

The recognized growth stage is usually those of reference for the community in which the child has been born and belongs. In them there usually consist the graphs of weight, size and the perimeter of the head.

In children younger than 3 years the height measures itself to the knocked down child, in major children this measurement is realized by the standing child. The perimeter of the head measures itself to a tape measure firmly about the head over the eyebrows, up to the later part of the skull. This parameter is realized up to 18 months of age.

The obtained measurements are compared with measurements that are considered to be normal for children of the same age, sex and race. The results are interpreted as "centiles" of average. The centile is the number in which the child is placed between 100 similar age children. If a child has a height in the centile 50, it means that about 50 % of the children of the same age and sex is higher and about 50 % of the children is lower in height.

An abnormal growth of the perimeter of the head can make to think the doctor on the possible appearance of a hydrocephalus, a cerebral tumor, etc... and on the contrary a too slow growth of this perimeter can indicate cerebral malformations, early merger of the sutures or other problems.