painokäyrä

Painokäyrä, literally meaning "weight curve" in Finnish, refers to a graphical representation of weight changes over time, most commonly used in the context of infant growth and development. It is a crucial tool for pediatricians and parents to monitor a baby's progress. The curve typically plots a baby's weight against their age, allowing for a visual comparison to established growth percentile charts.

These charts, often derived from large population studies, show the expected range of weights for babies of a given age and sex. A baby's weight is plotted at regular intervals, and the resulting points form the painokäyrä. This curve is then compared to the standard percentile lines (e.g., 3rd, 15th, 50th, 85th, 97th percentiles).

The primary purpose of tracking a painokäyrä is to identify any significant deviations from expected growth patterns. A curve that consistently stays within a particular percentile range indicates healthy, proportional growth. Conversely, a curve that sharply rises or falls, or crosses significantly between percentile lines, might signal a need for further medical investigation to rule out underlying health issues, feeding difficulties, or other concerns. It is a dynamic tool, reflecting the individual growth trajectory of each child.