Epidemiological Evaluation of the Association between Parental Factor and Newborns Anthropometric Indices

Aims: Identification and management of factors affecting fetal development can be a valuable contribution to promoting infant survival, growth, and development. This study investigated the association between parental factors and newborns’ anthropometric indices. Materials Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on secondary data analysis of pediatric and pregnancy surveillance systems in which 1500 children below the age of 2 years were selected by proportional sampling method. The outcome indexes in this study included birth weight, height, and head circumference. Data analysis conducted by SPSS 16 using the generalized linear model approach with logit link function and binomial probability distribution were used in this study. Findings: The prevalence of low-birth-weight, short stature, and small birth head circumference were estimated to be 3.3%, 4.2%, and 4.4%, respectively. In the generalized linear model with logit link function, predictor variables of birth weight included occupation, a paternal education level (p 0.05), education level, BMI, and pregnancy rates of the mother (p 0.05). The predictor variables of birth height were paternal occupation, baby gender, and maternal body mass index (p 0.05). Conclusion: The need to pay attention to parent-related intervening factors such as BMI and birth rank in the family empowerment programs to improve birth indicators is suggested.