Background: Growth monitoring and the interpretation of child growth charts are essential components of preventive pediatric care. This review aimed to examine educational challenges and effective strategies for teaching growth monitoring and child growth-chart interpretation to medical students.
Materials and Methods: We conducted a structured narrative review guided by the SANRA framework. We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, ERIC, SID, Magian, CIVILICA, ISC, and Google Scholar from inception to April 2026, supplemented by citation tracking, reference-list screening, and grey-literature searches. Two researchers independently screened, extracted, quality-appraised, and thematically synthesized eligible English- and Persian-language quantitative, qualitative, interventional, and review studies.
Results: Thematic synthesis identified three interrelated domains. First, fragmented curricular delivery; predominantly hospital-based training; limited exposure to well-child and primary care settings; inadequate opportunities for repeated practice; and insufficient structured feedback hindered the translation of theoretical knowledge into clinical competence. Second, learners required proficiency in accurate anthropometric measurement; selection and plotting of appropriate growth charts; longitudinal, context-sensitive interpretation of growth trajectories; clinical reasoning; and family-centered communication. Third, structured modules; supervised skills workshops; case-based learning using serial growth data; simulation; outpatient placements; longitudinal portfolios; direct feedback; and multi-method, performance-based assessment were identified as potentially effective strategies. Although workshops and IMCI-based training improved short-term knowledge, evidence on skill retention, transfer to authentic clinical settings, and sustained effects on clinical performance remained limited.
Conclusion: A longitudinal, competency-based, primary care–oriented approach may better prepare medical students to deliver evidence-based, family-centered child health care. Integrating structured teaching; supervised anthropometric practice; case-based learning; simulation; outpatient experience; feedback; and performance-based assessment can strengthen technical accuracy, growth-trajectory interpretation, clinical reasoning, and communication with parents.