The normal healthy development of infants is defined by this standard. Deviation could instigate investigations of maltreatment but the validity of such a trigger is likely to be low.
Evidence from:
M de Onis et al. Acta Paediatrica (2006) Vol. 95 supplement 450
“WHO Child Growth Standard”
Investigations of childcare standards can lead to prolonged distress. If triggered solely by deviation form median growth there is a high risk of unnecessary distress.
Further detail: