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Early linear growth retardation in Chongqing, China
Author(s) -
Liu YX,
Li HQ,
Yang XQ,
Karlberg J
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of paediatrics and child health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.631
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1440-1754
pISSN - 1034-4810
DOI - 10.1046/j.1440-1754.1999.00378.x
Subject(s) - medicine , pediatrics , linear growth , short stature , incidence (geometry) , supine position , growth retardation , head circumference , population , circumference , prospective cohort study , birth weight , pregnancy , surgery , environmental health , physics , geometry , mathematics , biology , optics , genetics
Objectives: The objectives of this study were to investigate early linear growth retardation and to identify potential risk factors for it. Methodology: A community‐based prospective study was performed in Chongqing, China, with infants being examined at 12 and 15 months of age. A total of 101 infants were examined twice. Supine length, bodyweight, lower leg length, head circumference, middle upper arm circumference and biceps skinfold thickness were measured. Results: The prevalence of short stature (length‐for‐age standard deviation score, < – 2) was 22% and 23% at 12 and 15 months of age, respectively, while the incidence of growth stunting (low growth velocity) between 12 and 15 months of age was 24%, using the stunting screening method. A mother having a history of abortion and infants having current episodes of diarrhoea were identified as risk factors for growth stunting. Conclusions: We conclude that both short stature and growth stunting are common in the population studied. The stunting screening method used is applicable in developing communities.