利用內聚係數視覺圖分析幼兒成長的遲緩或快速

Visual Analysis of Early Childhood Growth Delay or Acceleration Using Cohesion Coefficient

結合世界衛生組織（WHO）0至24個月嬰幼兒的成長標準，建立離散指標，進行成長異常的視覺化分析，辨識潛在的發展遲緩或加速。嬰幼兒依月齡、身高、體重、及頭圍進行分群，並以適宜指標繪製散佈圖，及建置網頁版的幼兒成長評估系統。結果顯示，內聚係數（介於0與1間，0.2為閾階，愈小愈遠離常模）更適合用於幼兒的成長評估。在案例中，兩名身高、體重與頭圍相同的男嬰（分別為4與6個月），整體的內聚係數分別為0.21（>0.2，15.7百分位；屬正常）與0.27（>0.2，39.2百分位；屬正常），但三項指標百分位數分別為（86／57／100）與（22／18／96），顯示4月齡嬰兒呈現6月齡的成長形態。此內聚係數散佈圖可補足傳統僅呈現單一指標百分位的不足。本研究提供此內聚係數散佈圖的網頁評估系統，便利幼兒家長的使用。

Using WHO growth standards for infants aged 0-24 months, we developed a discrete index for visual analysis of growth anomalies to identify potential delays or acceleration. Infants were clustered by age, height, weight, and head circumference, with scatterplots constructed using appropriate indices, and a web-based growth assessment system was implemented. Results showed that the cohesion coefficient (ranging from 0 to 1, with 0.2 as the threshold; smaller values indicate greater deviation) was suitable for infant growth evaluation. In a case study, two boys (aged 4 and 6 months) with identical measures—66 cm in height, 7.2 kg in weight, and 43 cm in head circumference—had overall cohesion coefficients of 0.21 (>0.2, 15.7 percentile rank; normal) and 0.27 (>0.2, 39.2 percentile rank; normal), respectively. However, their percentile profiles (86/57/100 vs. 22/18/96) differed, indicating that the 4-month-old exhibited a 6-month growth pattern. The cohesion coefficient scatterplot supplements traditional single-percentile charts, and the web-based tool facilitates convenient use by parents.