Environmental Factors Associated with Growth Delay among 3-72 Month Old Children in Sarbisheh, South Khorasan Province, 2013

Introduction and Aims: Failure to thrive (FTT) is defined as delay or stop in a child’s growth and in case it is not considered, will lead to serious somatic complications in the child. In this study, associated environmental factors with failure to thrive in Sarbishe 3-72 month old children was examined.
The present study with an analytical cross-sectional design was conducted on 3-72 month old children in Sarbisheh city. This study was done on 422 children under supervision of Sarbisheh health center. Case (children with FTT) and control groups (children without FTT) were matched for age and sex. For data analyzing, the Chi -square, t- test and logistic regression were used by SPSS v.22.
From characteristics of the household; maternal education level, maternal occupation and mother’s pre-pregnancy BMI had a significant relation with FTT in children. From characteristics of the child; birth weight had a significant relation with FTT in children. From economic characteristics of households; housing and addiction of the mother had a significant relation with FTT in children.
According to the factors associated with FTT in children, parents education about child nutrition, attention to mother's weight before pregnancy, supporting unprivileged children or children with irresponsible parents is important in children's health promotion.