Iron and Multivitamin Supplements in Children and its Association with Growth rate

Vitamin deficiency and iron deficiency anemia are common nutritional problems, at least in children under 5. These materials shortage, especially in the first two years of life, impair physical and brain growth, reduces the child''s learning ability, reduces body resistance against infections, behavioral changes, apathy and finally social and economic adverse consequences would be followed. This study aimed to determine the supplements used in children under two years and its Association with Growth rate in Mashhad City.In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 300 children 6 to 24 months were recruited in health centers in Mashhad, Data was collected from mother and and children’ records and valid and reliable questionnaire was used to collect data. The data was analyzed by statistical tests and SPSS 11.5 and P<0.05 was considered significant. Results showed that 13.7 percent of families were with low income, 82.7 percent middle income and 3.7 percent well income. In growth chart, 86.7 percent of children showed appropriate growth, 10.3 percent had delayed growth and 3 percent had horizontal growth curve. In 80.7 percent of families, maternal multivitamin and iron drops have been used to their children regularly, 1.7 percent did not believe in these supplements and 17.7 percent of mothers sometimes used these supplements for their children. Results also showed statistical correlation significant variables of parental education, family income, mothers referred to health centers for monitoring the growth and get face to face training of personnel center drops of multivitamin with iron and growth status of children variable is available, so children who regularly have used supplements and income level and above are literate parents have grown more favorable than the other kids (P<0.05). Regarding the importance of iron and multivitamin use in children under two years, necessary training must be provided to mothers in this field by health centers personnel. Meanwhile, it is recommended that the authorities must distribute periodical and enough drops to health centers.