Factors related to reduction of height and weight in children under two years of Aleshtar township of Lorestan province

Background : Infants growth is one of the most important sources of information for the diagnosis of growth retardation and malnutrition in children. The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with reduction of height and weight of infants less than 2 years of Alashtar township of Lorestan province. Materials and Methods: This research was a cross-sectional study. The statistical population were all children under two years old referred to health centers of Aleshtar township in the first half of 2007. All data were collected using questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS statistical software. Results: From 299 infants, 77 (25.8% ) had reduction in weight curve and 24(8%) infants had reduction in height curve. There was a significant relationship between reduction of weight and following variables including place of residence, infectious diseases, the kind of used-milk, duration of breastfeeding, complementary feeding beginning time, interval of breast-fed from next birth, level of mother's education, mother's employment, father's job, using of iron-complementary and low birth weight. Also there were significant statistical relationship between reduction of height and place of residence, infectious diseases, duration of breastfeeding, the use of iron supplements and vitamin A+ D, mother,s education level, mother,s employment status, father's occupation and low birth weight. Conclusion: In this study, 25.8% of the cases had reduction in the growth curve of weight and 8% had reduction in the growth curve of hight. There was a significant relationship between reduction of height and weight graph and infectious diseases, mother education level, employment status, mother's occupation, father's job, the use of iron supplements and low birth weight

The effect of oral zinc sulfate on the growth of preterm infants

Background : Zinc is a micro element which plays an important role in the growth of children. Neonates receive the major part of zinc during the third trimester of pregnancy, so preterm infants don’t have enough zinc storage.The aim of this study was to determine the effect of oral zinc sulfate on growth of preterm infants. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on 106 preterm neonates in the 28-36 weeks of gestational age bracket and between 1000-2500 gr in weight born in Imam Reza and Motazedi hospitals in Kermanshah city. They were randomly divided into two groups. Group 1 received 3 mg/day zinc sulfate for 6 months, but the second group did not received zinc. Both groups were visited monthly and measured for weight, length and head circumference. Results: The mean age of group 1 and control group was (32.9±2.2 week) and (32.7±2.1 week) and at the end of month 6, mean weight in them was (6861.3± 810.3 gr) and (5118.9±534.7 gr) (P< 0.001) respectively. Significant difference in length and head circumference was not found until end of the second month but from third month, they were significant. The mean of length in zinc group was (59.8±3.8 cm) and in control group was (57.0±3.5cm) (P< 0.001) and the mean of head circumference was (41.4±2.0cm) and (39.5±2.5cm) (P< 0.001). Conclusion:Zinc supplementation 3mg daily, for preterm infants for 6 months have significant effect on growth of neonates, weight, length and head circumference