supine length

growth

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Last updated

July 14, 2026

Quick Summary

"Supine length" refers to a measurement taken while a child is lying on their back, typically used for infants up to age two. This measurement averages about one centimeter longer than standing height. Growth in height is a generally regular process, not characterized by fits and starts. However, stature is complex, comprising leg length, trunk length, and head height, each with distinct growth curves.1

Accurate growth data requires careful measurement and analysis, often using mathematical curves to summarize growth patterns. Longitudinal studies, which track the same individual over time, are crucial for understanding individual growth rates and diagnosing growth disorders.1

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human development
Boys’ and girls’ height curves
This measurement, called supine length, averages about one centimeter (cm) more than the measurement of standing height taken on the same child, hence the break in the line of the curve at age two. This occurs even when, as in the best techniques, the child is urged to…
Read More
This measurement, called supine length, averages about one centimeter (cm) more than the measurement of standing height taken on the same child, hence the break in the line of the curve at age two. This occurs even when, as in the best techniques, the child is urged to…
Read More