Authors

1 PhD Student of Health Education and Health Promotion, Reproductive Health Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.

2 MD, MPH, Urmia Health Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.

3 MSc of Epidemiology, Urmia Health center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.

4 MSc Student of Nursing, Student Research Committee, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

5 Bachelor of Public Health, Urmia Health Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.

6 MSc Student of Epidemiology, Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.

7 Professor of Maternal and Child Health, Reproductive Health Research Center, Department of public health, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia Iran.

Abstract

Background
The developmental delays of children, is one of the most important sources of information to detect the developmental delays of children. The aim of this study was to investigate the developmental delays and its relationship with anthropometric indices in Urmia city, Iran.
Materials and Methods
This is a descriptive analytical study that conducted on 422 children who had 6-12 months old and were selected randomly with cluster sampling from 10 Health Center. Anthropometric indices (weight, height and head circumstance) were collected from recorded files, and development of children was measured using developmental test of Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ). The data were analyzed using SPSS version 18.0 software.
Results
The results showed that the prevalence of the developmental delays of children was 18.8% and the highest and the lowest prevalence was related to the area of communication (7.1 %), and the area of gross motor (0.9 %), respectively. The developmental delays of children in boys, was more than girls (P< 0.05). The mean weight, height and head circumference of children at birth time were 3222.6±469 grams, 49.07±6.68 cm and 34.01±5.3 cm, respectively. There was no significant relationship between height and head circumference at birth time and the developmental delays of children (P> 0.05).
Conclusion
Considering the significant number of the developmental delays of children and its relationship with birth weight in this study, it is recommended to consider appropriate interventions at pregnancy period for the prevention of low birth weight and the constant programs about the developmental delays.

Keywords