Foster Care Clinical Pathway — Outpatient Specialty Care
Foster Care Clinical Pathway — Outpatient Specialty Care
Vital Signs and Anthropometric Measurements
Vital signs, including blood pressure if ≥ 3 years.
Blood pressure measurement in children < 3 years if positive risk assessment including history of:
- History of prematurity/very low birth weight
- Congenital heart disease
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
- Kidney or urological disease
- Medications known to cause increased blood pressure
- Systemic illnesses associated with hypertension, such as neurofibromatosis
Measurements Include
- Head circumference if < 3 years and in older children if clinically indicated
- Weight for length if < 24 months
- BMI if ≥ 24 months
- Attention to failure to thrive and obesity. Related nutrition clinical pathways:
Interpreting Body Mass Index per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
| Weight Status Category | BMI Percentile Range Per CDC Growth Charts |
|---|---|
| Underweight | < 5th |
| Normal or Health Weight | ≥ 5th to < 85th |
| Overweight | ≥ 85th to < 95th |
| Obese | ≥ 95th |
Reference
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention