Investigating the Growth Pattern of Children under 6 in Hazrat Valiasr Nursery in Sadra, Shiraz, Iran in 2018

Malnutrition and ignorance of growth and development of children might cause irrecoverable physical and mental effects. This study aims to assess the growth pattern of children living in a nursery aged birth to 6 years in order to compare it with the global health standards.

This observational cross-sectional study was conducted in Shiraz Hazrat Valiasr Nursery. 90 children living in the nursery from birth to 6 years who were resident for more than 6 months were included in our study. Weight and Height were recorded and data collected were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS 24 software, and Chi-square test of association was used.

Out of 90 children between the age group birth to 6 years living in the nursery, 50 (55.6%) were male and 40 (44.4%) were female. Underweight, normal, overweight and obese were found in 35.6%, 48.9%, 11.1% and 4.4% cases respectively. Regarding the height status, normal and stunting were found to be 43.3% and 56.7%. According to statistical tests, there was no relationship between gender and weight, and height. However, there was a significant relation between the mean age of children and weight.

The height and weight of the children living in this center, at the young ages, showed more deviation from the standard percentiles. In other words, as the average age increases, the deviation from the standard percentages of height and weight decreases. It means that after the proper cares at mentioned center, the children growth status has improved.