Overview
The somatometry module captures essential pediatric measurements and provides real-time analysis using World Health Organization (WHO) growth standards. All measurements are automatically plotted on growth charts with percentile calculations.Key measurements tracked
Weight
Measured in kilograms (kg) with automatic BMI calculation
Height/Length
Measured in centimeters (cm) for children of all ages
Head circumference
Critical measurement for infants and toddlers up to 36 months
Body temperature
Optional measurement in degrees Celsius (°C)
Recording a somatometry measurement
To create a new somatometry record for a patient:Select the patient
Choose the pediatric patient from the patient list. The system will display an alert if no patient is selected.
Set measurement date
Enter the date when measurements were taken. The system automatically calculates the patient’s age in months based on birth date.
The measurement date cannot be earlier than the patient’s birth date. The system will display a validation error if this occurs.
Enter measurements
Use the interactive sliders or input fields to record:
- Weight (kg): Required field
- Height (cm): Required field
- Head circumference (cm): Optional, recommended for children under 3 years
- Temperature (°C): Optional
Review calculated values
The system automatically calculates:
- Patient’s exact age in years, months, and days
- Body Mass Index (BMI) from weight and height
- Age in total months for percentile calculations
Age calculation
DoctorSoft+ automatically calculates the patient’s age based on their birth date and the measurement date:- Total age in months: Used for WHO percentile comparisons
- Detailed age: Displayed as years, months, and days (e.g., “2a 6m”)
- Total days: Used for precise growth velocity calculations
The age calculation accounts for leap years and varying month lengths to ensure accurate percentile matching against WHO standards.
BMI calculation and classification
Body Mass Index is automatically calculated using the formula:| Classification | Percentile Range | Color Code |
|---|---|---|
| Bajo peso (Underweight) | Below P15 | Red |
| Peso saludable (Healthy weight) | P15 - P85 | Green |
| Sobrepeso (Overweight) | P85 - P97 | Orange |
| Obesidad (Obesity) | Above P97 | Dark red |
BMI classifications are only displayed for children 2 months and older, as BMI-for-age charts begin at this age according to WHO standards.
Temperature monitoring
Temperature readings are color-coded for quick assessment:- Blue (<36°C): Below normal range
- Green (36.0-37.9°C): Normal range
- Yellow (38.0-39.0°C): Mild fever
- Red (>39°C): High fever
Viewing somatometry records
The somatometry table displays all historical measurements with:- Measurement date
- Age at measurement (years and months)
- Weight, height, BMI, and head circumference values
- Temperature with visual indicator
- BMI classification badge
- Edit action button
Editing existing records
To modify a somatometry record:- Click the edit icon (pencil) in the Actions column
- Update the desired measurements in the form
- Click “Guardar” to save changes
Data storage
All somatometry records are stored in thetpSomatometrias table with:
- Patient reference (patient_id)
- Measurement date and calculated age
- All physical measurements
- Calculated BMI value
- Business unit association (idbu)
- Measuring provider information (measured_by)
Best practices
Measure consistently
Take measurements at similar times of day and under similar conditions for accurate growth tracking.
Use standardized equipment
Ensure scales and stadiometers are calibrated according to facility protocols.
Record immediately
Enter measurements into the system during or immediately after the patient visit to prevent errors.
Review growth charts
Check the growth charts after entering new measurements to identify any concerning trends.
Related features
- Growth charts: View WHO-standardized growth curves
- Development tracking: Monitor developmental milestones