Accessing and Using the Growth Chart

The Growth Chart in SigmaMD provides a visual representation of a patient's growth metrics over time. The CDC growth chart displayed in SigmaMD combines data from both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• For ages 0–2 years, the centiles are based on WHO growth standards, which reflect optimal growth patterns for infants and young toddlers.
• For ages 2 years and older, the centiles are based on the CDC dataset, which represents growth patterns for older children and adolescents in the U.S. population.

This blended approach ensures the most clinically appropriate reference data is used across the full pediatric age range, while allowing a child’s growth to be tracked seamlessly on the same chart as they transition beyond age 2.  In addition, SigmaMD supports American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) growth charts for patients with Down syndrome, ensuring clinicians can reference the most appropriate standards for each patient.

Follow these steps to access and use growth charts effectively.

Step 1: Accessing the Growth Chart

• Open the Patient Chart and navigate to the Vitals tab.

• The Growth Charts button will appear if:
  • The patient is 20 years old or younger.
  • At least one vitals record exists in the system.

• Click Growth Charts to open the graphical representation of the patient’s growth data.

Step 2: Using the Growth Chart Features

Once inside the Growth Chart, you can:

• Show/Hide Centiles – Toggle centile lines on the graph.

• Toggle Full Lifespan – View the patient’s entire growth history.

• Select Vitals to Display – Choose which vitals appear in the graph.

• Adjust for Preterm Birth – Modify the chart display for preterm infants.

• Switch Between CDC/WHO and AAP Charts – If the patient has Down Syndrome, toggle between different charting standards.

Step 3: Adding the Growth Chart to a Clinical Note

You can add the growth chart straight into a clinical note, instead of describing the curve in writing or attaching a screenshot by hand.

Open the note you want to document in, then go back to the Growth Chart and set it up the way you want it to appear.

Click Add to note (the share icon) in the Growth Chart screen, then choose one of the following:

• Add readings to note – Inserts the recorded measurements into the note as text.
• Add image to note – Inserts the chart exactly as it appears on screen.
• Attach PDF to note – Files the full Growth Chart PDF to the note.

Whatever you add becomes part of the note, so it is included when the note is printed or shared. Adding the chart again after new measurements are recorded inserts an updated copy.

Add to note is unavailable when:

• No note is open. The tooltip reads Open note to add – open or create a note first.
• The patient has no measurements to plot. The tooltip reads No readings to add to a note.

The same options are available on the Trends chart in the Vitals tab.

Step 4: Printing the Growth Chart

• Click Download PDF in the Growth Chart screen.

• Wait for the message confirming that the PDF is being generated.
• Once ready, the file will download automatically, and you’ll return to the Growth Chart screen.
• The downloaded PDF will include:
  • Clinic and patient information.
  • The exact Growth Chart displayed at the time of download.
  • The two most recent measurements below the graph.
  • A full list of all recorded measurements starting from page two.

Step 5: Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Record Out of Chart Range

A red dot alert may appear if a recorded vital is out of range. Common causes:

• No available data before 1 month of age for Down Syndrome patients.
• Head circumference recorded when the patient is over 3 years old.
• BMI recorded for patients under 2 years old.

Vital Cannot Be More Than +8 SD

An alert may appear if a recorded vital is far outside the standard deviation range. This is often due to a data entry error. To fix this:

• Go to the Vitals tab in the patient’s chart.
• Review and correct any incorrect measurements.

The Growth Chart in SigmaMD helps track and analyze patient growth over time. If you experience any issues or need further assistance, contact our support team.