Catch-Up Growth Calculator

Enter a child's age, sex, current measurements, and target percentile to get the required catch-up growth velocity in g/day and g/week.

Use the Catch-Up Growth Calculator

Child Parameters

Time allowed to reach target weight (1–104 weeks)

Educational reference only. These estimates do not constitute a feeding prescription. Always verify catch-up targets and feeding plans with a licensed pediatrician or registered dietitian. Individual clinical factors — diagnosis, appetite, comorbidities — must be assessed by a qualified provider.

Enter child parameters and click Calculate

Summary

This tool estimates the catch-up growth velocity and pediatric dietary requirements a child needs to reach a target weight-for-age percentile. Using WHO Child Growth Standards (0–60 months), it projects the child's age at the end of the catch-up window so baseline growth accrual is preserved, calculating target Ideal Body Weight (IBW) and deficit. It outputs daily and weekly velocity (g/day, g/week, g/kg/day) alongside validated WHO/FAO catch-up energy requirements (kcal/day, kcal/kg/day, and protein g/day). Inputs support metric and imperial units. All outputs are for clinical reference and caregiver education — verify with a pediatrician or registered dietitian.

How it works

  1. Enter the child's age (0–60 months), sex, and current weight.
  2. Select a target percentile (typically 50th or the child's baseline tracking percentile).
  3. Enter the catch-up window in weeks (1–104 weeks).
  4. The tool projects the child's age at the end of the window (up to 60 months) to determine target Ideal Body Weight (IBW), ensuring normal baseline growth is included.
  5. Weight deficit is computed as window-end target IBW minus current weight.
  6. Catch-up velocity is calculated in g/day, g/week, and g/kg/day over the window.
  7. Daily catch-up energy and protein targets are computed via the pediatric standard formula: (RDA for age × target IBW) ÷ current weight.

Use cases

  • Estimate catch-up nutrition targets for a child with moderate or severe acute malnutrition.
  • Set weekly weight-gain goals during outpatient therapeutic feeding programs.
  • Monitor whether a stunted infant is on track to reach the target weight after starting supplementation.
  • Educate caregivers on the daily weight gain needed to close an existing deficit.
  • Provide a quantitative catch-up target for pediatric dietitians writing nutrition care plans.
  • Screen infants in growth faltering clinics by comparing required velocity to published feasible rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-06-18 · Reviewed by Nham Vu