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

The main aims of children health for the current century have focused on short stature and o ne 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 patents' and children's 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 parent’s height and the stunting of their children. In addition, positive family history is a risk factor for stunting of children.