بررسي كوتاهي قد در كودكان زير 5 سال در مراكز بهداشتي درماني اسد آبادي تبريز سال 86-1385

STUDY ON SHORT STATURE IN CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS OLD ASADABADI HEALTH CENTER OF TABRIZ, 2006-2007

Background & Aims: The main aims of children health for the current century have focused on short stature and one of the important aims of W.H.O in 21th century is to reduce the stunting rate below 20% in under five year-old children. This study aimed to evaluate short stature in under five-year children in Asad Abadi Health Center in Tabriz. Materials & Methods: This cross sectional-descriptive study was carried out on under five year-old children who referred to Asadabadi Health Center. NCHS growth charts were used for evaluation of growth parameters. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. Statistical procedures used to analyze the data included chi-square test, logistic regression, and Pearson correlation. Differences between groups were considered significantly when p<0.05. Results: 1600 children with the mean age of 21 months, consisting of 50.1% males and 49.9% females were studied in a period of eight months. There was statistically a meaningful correlation between patentsʹ and childrenʹs height; positive family history was a risk factor for shortness of children. Also the correlation between index of height for age at birth and gestational age was statistically significant (P = 0.000). Conclusion: There is a significant association between parentʹs height and the stunting of their children. In addition, positive family history is a risk factor for stunting of children.