Growth charts are tools used by healthcare professionals to track the growth and development of children over time. They display measurements such as height, weight, and head circumference, allowing parents and doctors to compare a child's growth against established percentiles. These percentiles help identify whether a child is growing at a healthy rate compared to peers of the same age and sex. The charts are based on data collected from large populations, including information from organizations like the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Regularly monitoring growth using these charts can help detect potential health issues early, ensuring timely intervention if necessary.