Multivariate Analysis of Factors associated with Growth Disorder in 6-Month to 2-Year-Old Children: Focusing on Interactional Influences and Confounding Factors

Background and Growth disorders in children are important amongst health issues resulting in serious complications. The aim of this case-control study was to determine factors related to growth disorders in 6 month to 2-year old children using multiple regression analysis. In this study 150 children with growth problems as cases, and 200 children with desirable growth as controls were randomly selected from ten primary health care centers. A questionnaire regarding demographic characteristics, fertility history and nutritional status was completed through face-to-face interview with selected children’s mother. The influence of different factors on undesirable growth was evaluated using multiple logistic regression in SPSS and Stata. The results indicated a significant correlation in type of pregnancy (wanted or unwanted) (OR= 2.58), mother’s age (<20) (OR= 1.52), number of pregnancies (OR= 2.7), gestational age (preterm) (OR= 3.8), breast feeding (OR= 3.3), type of labor (OR= 2.4), multiple pregnancies (OR= 2.02), low socioeconomic status (SES) (OR= 1.68), and conflicts in the family as a proxy of stress (OR= 1.66) with growth problems (P<0.05). Also, some variables such as conflicts in the family, type of pregnancy, birth weight and breast feeding, number of pregnancies and type of labor showed interactional influences. This study showed that some factors are highly associated with growth disorders among which some could predict the growth problems. Parental training on nutritional requirements of children, suitable time of pregnancy, supporting poor people and decreasing stress are recommended to enhance the health of children.