Question
At 5 months old, the baby weighs 13.5 pounds and is 63 centimeters tall. How should we deal with this situation?
Answer
The Copius Index (CpI) is a measure used to evaluate the weight-to-height ratio in infants. It is calculated as follows: Weight (grams) ÷ (Height in centimeters × Height in centimeters) × 10. When the CpI exceeds 22, it indicates that the child may be overweight; a CpI between 20 and 22 suggests slight obesity; a CpI between 18 and 20 is considered good; 15-18 is within the normal range; 13-15 indicates underweight; a CpI between 10-13 may represent malnutrition; and below 10 shows severe malnutrition. If a child’s CpI is over 22 or below 15, this may suggest issues with feeding methods or may be related to certain diseases. In such cases, it is advisable to seek professional advice from a pediatrician.