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Review Article

The Korea Infant Physical Growth Examination Survey (KIPGroS): a study protocol

Jong Woo Hahn^1,2  , MinSoo Shin³, Jin Gyu Lim¹, Yoon-Joo Kim⁴, Ki Soo Kang⁴, Narae Lee⁵, Seong Hee Jeong⁵, Mun Hui Jeong⁵, Yeoun Joo Lee⁵, Eui Kyung Choi⁶, Jung Ok Shim⁶, Jee Yoon Park⁷, Chan-Wook Park⁷, Joo Young Kim⁸, Su Jin Jeong⁹, Young Hwa Jung¹, Jae Hyun Kim¹, Chang Won Choi¹, Ju Whi Kim¹, Seung Han Shin¹, Yun Jeong Lee¹, Young Ah Lee¹, Choong-Ho Shin¹, Seung-sik Hwang¹⁰, Young Eun Kim¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
²Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
³Department of Pediatrics, Korea National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
⁴Department of Pediatrics, Jeju National University College of Medicine, Jeju, Korea
⁵Department of Pediatrics, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Pusan, Korea
⁶Department of Pediatrics, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea
⁷Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
⁸Department of Pediatrics, Eulji University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
⁹Department of Pediatrics, CHA Bundang Medical Center, School of Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam, Korea
¹⁰Department of Public Health Science, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
¹¹Division of Health and Nutrition Survey and Analysis, Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention and Control, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Seoul, Korea

Received: February 22, 2024; Revised: December 6, 2024   Accepted: December 6, 2024.

Abstract

Growth charts are important tools used to evaluate the growth status of children and estimate the nutritional and health status of the general population. In Korea, the national standardized growth charts were updated in 2017. However, the growth charts developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) are being adopted for children under 3 years of age despite a lack of evidence for their applicability to Koreans. Here we aimed to collect accurate physical measurement data, develop growth charts for infants and toddlers under 3 years of age based on breastfeeding, and evaluate the feasibility of adopting WHO growth standards as a reference in Korea. Beginning April 2020, six general and local hospitals were selected nationwide. Mothers and newborns without growth restriction–related factors were enrolled at birth, and they were followed up monthly until 12 months and every 3 months until 36 months. Data were collected on physical measurements; eating habits; childhood morbidity; perinatal factors; and socioeconomic, demographic, and environmental characteristics. All participating hospitals used the same standard equipment. The Korea Infant Physical Growth Examination Survey evaluated the suitability of the WHO growth charts and contributed to the next revision of the Korean growth charts. The results of this study provide a basis for developing health-related strategies for treating children in South Korea.

Keywords :Growth charts, World Health Organization, Child