Comparison of Growth Factors of Neonate born to Addicted Mothers in the Presence and Absence of Father in Shahid Akbarabadi Hospital, Tehran, Iran From 2021 to 2022

The mother's addiction during pregnancy has a negative effect on the fetus and growth factors, but no detailed investigation has been done regarding the effect of the father's presence during pregnancy. The present study compares the neonate growth factors of addicted mothers in the presence or absence of father.

The data of pregnant mothers who visited Shahid Akbarabadi Hospital in Tehran, Iran from 2020 to 2021 were reviewed and addicted mothers were included in the study. A questionnaire regarding demographic characteristics and the presence or absence of the father was prepared and asked to the mothers. Then the growth factors of the neonate were recorded based on the contents of the clinical file and specialist examination of the newborns.

Fathers' emotional support, along with financial support, was effective on birth weight (P<0.001), head circumference (P<0.001), chest circumference (P<0.05), abdominal circumference, height and Apgar (P<0.001). And it has significantly led to a decrease in the incidence of withdrawal syndrome (P<0.001), and a decrease of hospitalization days (P<0.001) compared to the group without father. Father’s financial and emotional support significantly improves the growth factors of head, abdomen, height circumference, Apgar and absence of withdrawal syndrome (P<0.01). The mentioned criteria and good condition at the time of discharge were better in the group with father than in the group without father. In the mothers with emotional support, the results of infant growth factors were better than other groups.

Improving the level of prenatal care and the importance of father's presence can lead to the improvement of neonate growth factors