Measurements can be taken by any method but all the measurement techniques should be standardised and instruments must be checked frequently for their accuracy. In clinics beam type scale is more common and it is very accurate also, but for field work rather spring machine is satisfactory. In this machine baby is slung in strong Pants and the straps are fixed on the hook of the machine. The machine can be hung from the hook or a nail on the door or an attendant can hold it up. This machine can weight upto 20 kg. and is accurate to 100 gms.
Height
For the children upto 2 years of age the best method to note their heights is Infantometer, which can be used up with the children lying supine. Older children can stand also near the rod which is attached to lever, or they can stand by a wall where a mark is laid on the wall with any horizontal thing and floor can be measured with steel measuring tape. Tailor's tape is not very accurate. While standing near any vertical thing for height measurement, one thing must be borne in mind that the child should stand straight i.e. his buttocks, shoulders and head must touch the wall.
Mid Arm Circumference :
This measurement is very easy to take and also very useful. In this middle of upper arm of the child is measured while it is hanging relaxed at the side of the body. Normally, circumferences increases rapidly in 1st year from about 11-16 cm. After that till 5 years of age it remains almost same. During this 4 years time Pv-ied fat of the arm is replaced by muscles. Below 80% i.e. below 12.8 cm means moderate to severe malnutrition.
This arm circumference can be measured by a bangle of 4 cm diameter.
Head and chest measurement
At birth child's head circumference is about 2 cm more than chest circumference. At the time of 7th-8th month both the measurements become equal and after that chest circumference become more. In severaly malnourished children this may be delayed by 3-4 years. This measurement is a good indication of nutrition of the child.
Eruption of Teeth
Children usually start cutting teeth by 6th month of their life if they are perfectly normal and after that in regular succession all the rest of the decidous or milk teeth erupt so that by 2Y2 years child has full set of 20 teeth.