a-9-month-olds-growth-chart-shows-consistent-tracking-at-the-50th-percentile-for

Question

A 9-month-old's growth chart shows consistent tracking at the 50th percentile for both length and weight for the first 6 months, then a progressive drop to the 10th percentile for weight while length remains near the 50th percentile. Which of the following is the most likely explanation requiring prioritized evaluation?

Accepted Answer

A nutritional problem (insufficient caloric intake or malabsorption) or illness causing weight faltering; requires immediate nutrition assessment and medical evaluation

Answer

The infant is experiencing a benign hormonal surge that permanently lowers weight percentile and will resolve without any assessment or change in feeding

Answer

This is normal variability; intervention is unnecessary because weight percentiles commonly drop by 40 percentile points without consequence

Answer

A genetic syndrome that always presents at 9 months with isolated weight loss but preserved length; therefore, no nutritional assessment should be done