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Background and purpose : This study was performed in order to determine the correlation between body mass index , maternal and fetal complicationsin patients admitted to Imam Khomeini Hospital in sari during the year 1999.
Materials and methods : This research was a cohort study , done on 726 pregnant women (under weight 154 cases. Normal weight 335 cases and over weight 237 cases). These three groups were matched by the following criteria : obstetrical history, socioeconomical status and the frequency of prenatal care.
Results : In over weight women , prevalence of pre eclampsia , gestational edema , multifetal pregnancy , multiparity , insufficient weight gaining , malpresentation and perinatal mortality were greater than normal weight women. In under weight women prevelance of premature ruptune of membranes , malpresentation were greater than normal weight women.
Conclusion : Low and high BMI can contribute to the complications of pregnancy , thus pregnancy in women with abnormal weight should be considered as ahigh risk factor to be able to prevent complications by special cure .

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Back ground and Purpose: Low birth weight (LBW) is one of the main cause of mortality in neonates. The prevalence and the risk factors differ in different countries. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of LBW in neonates and some of its risk factors in Babol.
Materials and Methods: This research was designed for a limited span of time, 1087 cases of neonates from all the deliveries of Babol were selected in First 3 months of the year1989. The data were collected by measuring the birth weight and interviewing the mothers.Statistical analysis was done by logestic regression method.
Results: The ratio of LBW was 6.2% with 95% confidence interval (7.6 and 4.8%). The odd ratio (ÔR) of LBW in females was 84% more than males (ÔR= 4) (ÔR= 1.84 and P = 0.09). The risk factor with twins or multiparity was 15.9 times more and of neonates less than 37 weeks was 9.8 times more (P= 0.0001). This risk was reduced to 40% in mothers with 2-4 parities compared with mothers of single parity (P= 0.07 and ÔR = 0.60), while for the fifth and higher parities this risk increased significantly(P = 0.0001 and ÔR= 3.89). Âge of less than 19 years and illiteracy of mother have increased the risk LBW , but was not significant. Ïn the stepwise multiple regression analysis, the effect of gestation age i.e.< 37 weeks ÔR= 10.1, begin twin (ÔR= 16.61) and being a female child. (ÔR= 1.99) have increased the risk of LBW significantly.
Çonclusion: Therefore prevention of preterm deliveries and conducting the health education program in high risks, especially illiterate mothers, young mothers of age less than Nineteen years and the first parity contribute to the prevention of LBW.

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Background and purpose: Since estimation of weight in study of intrautrine growth retardation (ÏÜGR) is important therefore this study was conducted due to importance of weight in premature fetus and macrosomia and estimation of weight in mothers with premature rupture of membranes (PRÔM). Ïn this propective study it was tried to find out the best and possible formula to estimale the fetal growth on the basis of parameters such as: BPD, FL and ÂÇ.
Materials and Methods: Hundred pregnant mothers, referred to Ësfahan educational hospital, who delivered about a week after sonography were selected. The fetal weight was estimated according to parameters of BPD, FL and ÂÇ by four formulas (Three hadlock and one shepart) then compared with the real birth weight to achive the results.
Results: The results showed that Ë4 formula (one of the Had lock formulas using all the three parameters) is the best with standard deviation 28 g/kg.
Çonclusions: Due to the development in sonography and determination of BPD, FL and ÂÇ, the estimation of fetal weight is possible with a minimal error.

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Background and purpose: The evaluation of growth monitoring in children is one of the important sources of information to detect malnutrition. The objective of this study was to determine the trend of infant growth from birth to two years in rural communities of Babol and to compare it with NÇHS standard.
Materials and methods: This study was based on the existing data in growth monitoring system available in Babol communities under coverage of health centers. 429 registered births between 1996 to 1998 were selected using cluster sampling technique. Percentiles of height and weight were calculated and compared with NÇHS standard.
Results: Results show that, the weight in 67.5% of infants was between 50th and 97th percentile of NÇHS standard at first month. This figure declined by increasing the age in such a way that, in the weight percentile was between 50th and 97th NÇHS 45.2% at 6 months, 42.6% at 12 months and 44.2% at 24 months. When these figures were compared between boys and girls, 5% to 20% were less in girls than the boys. The results also show that the 50th percentile of weight for boys up to 12 months and for girls up to 6 months is higher than 50th percentiles of NÇHS standard, but then after, up to the age of 2 years becomes lower than 50th percentile of standard. Âlso height growth disorder starts at the age under 1 to 3 months, in such a way that at first month, the 50th percentile of height is close to NÇHS, but after 3 months deviates from NÇHS. Â significant difference was observed between 50th percentile of height and weight of the cases under our study and NÇHS (P<0.05).
Çonclusion: The results indicate that Ïranian infants growth can not be evaluated with NÇHS standard. Hence it is necessary to provide national and local growth curves for Ïranian children.

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Background and purpose: Growth monitoring in children has been known as the best index for assessment of nutritional status of a society. This study has been carried out to determine physical growth (height and weight) and nutritional status of children under 6 years of age, living in Gorgan city suburb villages.
Materials and methods: Ïn this descriptive study, sampling was done in one-step, by clustering method, and about 10% (2802 persons) of rural children under 6 years were investigated. Weight and height were measured with accuracy of 0.1 kg. and 0.1 cm. respectively. The exact age of the children was obtained from the files kept in the rural health centers. Çomparison of the groups was done with the help of t.test and NÇHS standard as reference.
Results: The results indicate that girls have better somatic growth than the boys. The prevalence rate of malnutrition increases after the breast feeding period. The boy’s 43.93% and 5.11% are under the –2SD NÇHS standard for height and weight respectively. But the figures for the girls are 31.49% and 6.94% respectively.
Çonclusion: Çhronic malnutrition (delay in height growth) is observed more than the acute malnutrition (delay in weight growth) in the children under 6 years living in Gorgan suburb villages. Malnutrition is more in boys than the girls, and increases after breast feeding period.

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Background and purpose : Ïn this study, The prevalence of some of the most important and prevalente disorders, affecting the health status of children, has been assessed in primary schools children of Shiraz and the age- and sex-specific prevalence rate of these disorders has been calculated. Ïn addition, the prevalence rates were calculated in different regions of the city.
Materials and methods : This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study and the sampling method was Multistage Random Sampling. The instrument was quastionnaire and the cases were examined by general practitioners .The research was done in 2001-2002 study year, The results were analyzed using Z test and Çhi Square test, at significance level of 0.05 .
Results : The prevalence rates of studied disorders were: Ünderweight: 14.46%, Ôverweight: 2.96%, Visual acuity impairment: 7%, Hearing impairments: 0.92%, Dental carries 63.68%, Depression: 0.31%, Ënuresis: 1%, and Speech impediment: 0.77%. The most prevalent of which was dental carries, and the least prevalent disorder was depression (P<0.0001) implying the present need to dental and nutritional health promotion in the primary schools. Âmong the age- and sex-specifil prevalence rates, there were some significant differences, including: Ôverweight in girls was more prevalent than in boys (P<0.004), and underwight in the 7-8 year age group was more prevalente than in the 9-11 year age group (P<0.000001). This shows the importantc of nutrition and physical activities in the girls and in lower age groups.
Çonclusion : We concluded, the total prevalences of mental disorders, showed significant differences among different regions of city (P<0.044) implying the need for more specific studies regarding mental disorders, specially in regions of the city with lower socio-economic levels.

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Background and purpose : The low amount of blood sugar in neonates is an important and prevalent problem which needs serious attention because of its cerebral complications. High birth weight is one of the risk factors for hypoglycemia. There is no general agreement about how to approach the high birth weight neonates who do not have the symptoms of hypoglycemia but are at a high risk of it. In some centers the neonates blood sugar is checked before beginning the breast feeding and treatment but it imposes risk of opening the vein, hospitalization and also cost of care. So in this study the effects of breast feeding on blood sugar in high birth weight neonates have been studied.
Materials and methods : This study is a before/ after clinical trial on high birth weight neonates (BW>3800 gr) who were born in Imam and Razi University hospitals. Each neonate was its own control and the intervention was breast feeding. Simple sampling method was used to recruit the subjects and the exclusion criteria were neonates with symptomatic hypoglycemia, blood sugar less than 30mg/dl and absence of breast feeding in the first 2 hours after birth. After measuring the blood sugar, breast feeding was done and then 0.5 and 2 hours after that, the blood sugar was measured again and compared with the first amount (before breast feeding).
Results : A total of 94 neonates with birth weight of 4120+234 and 39.6+1 weeks of gestational age were studied. Most of the neonates were at the first and second parity (38.2% & 40.4%) and given birth through caesarian section (63.8%). History of hypertension in 7.2% and gestational diabetes in 6.4% were positive. Blood sugar at birth was 52. 25+ 15.5 mg/dl and blood sugar of 0.5 and 2 hours after breast feeding were 56. 89+ 14. 45 mg/dl and 68+ 14.5 mg/dl respectively. The differences between the blood sugar at birth and after 0.5 and 2 hours of breast feeding were significant (P<0.05). Birth weight and the commencing time of breast feeding were the factors significantly related to neonates blood sugar.
Conclusion : Breast feeding increases the blood sugar in high birth weight neonates and decreases the chance of being in hypoglycemic group and this effect in Neonates with near normal birth weight, early onset of breast feeding and longer length of time after beginning the breast feeding is much more significant.

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Background and purpose: Low birth weight (LBW birthweight 2500 g. or below) is a public health problem, because it is associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. This prospective study was conducted during March 2002 - 2003, to determine the incidence of low birth weight infants and associated risk factors in neonates born at Shahid Rajaee Hospital in Tonekabone, Iran.
Materials and methods: For every LBW case, maternal age, sex, gestational age, parity, route of delivery and spacing between pregnancies of low birth weight were analyzed. For control, the first baby born before and immediately after the LBW baby who weighed more than 2500 g. at birth were analyzed.
Results: The results revealed that the incidence of low birth weight was 4.2 % which is lower than population of other cities and only 0.34% (7 cases) of newborns weighted 1500 g. or less. The higher incidence of low birth weight was found in the primigravid (P=0.042), in cesarean section (P=0.025) and close spacing of pregnancy (P=0.033). Maternal age and sex of baby had no significant effect on the incidence of low birth weight. There were more premature deliveries in cases than controls (P=0.000).
Conclusion: According to present findings, LBW incidence of albeit in Tonekabon in comparison with other cities throught the country is at acceptable level, prevention of premature delivery and conduction of health education programs for high risk groups, especially primigravid can lower the rates.

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Background and purpose: Ïnjection of supplemental iodine to pregnant women has been shown to prevent cretinism and neuromotor disorders in the offspring. many researches were done regarding the administration of supplemental iodine to toddlers. This study was done to evaluate the effect of parenteral iodine in primary school children of Âmreh village (vicinity of Sari) 2.5 years after supplemental iodineinjection namely in 1999.
Materials and methods : This study was performed in two descriptive and analytic sections. Âll children born in Âmreh village between 1989 and 1991, who have received the lipidoil injection in 1996 were earolled for the study. Weight and height were measured and SD score (SDS) of weight and height was Their calculated. Based on these data BMÏ was also calculatted. For the statistical testing paired t-test was used and p<0.05 was reported as significant.
Results : 105 children (55 male, 50 female) 6-8 years old at the time of injection were included. The effect of lipidoil on height was significant, mean SDS of cases increased from 0.59 ± 0.8 to 0.31±0.8 (P<0.0001). the effect was also seen on weight, but it was not statistically significant (p<0.3).
Çonclusion : These results show that injection of supplemental iodine in childhood in iodine deficiency regions can at least result in improvement of height development.

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Background and purpose: Âccurate estimation of fetal weight is of paramount importance in the management of labor and delivery and may be related to critical points of decision making and proper management. This study was done in order to compare the accuracy of clinical and ultrasonic estimation of fetal weight in Ïmam Khomeini hospital of Sari, Ïran.
Materials and methods: During this study(March 2000- December 2004) 174 pregnant women met the inclusion criteria. Written consent was obtaind from the patients and fetal weight was estimated by clinical examination and johnson’s formula at their admission by one physicians. Then they were transfered to the ultrasound ward and ËFW was estimated by one sonologist. Finally, all newborns, weight was measured by one scale. Statistical analysis was done by frequency, Diagram, paired sample T Test.
Results: The mean of the age of subjects was 24.95± 4.59 years and their mean weight was 72.07+1104 kg and the mean of their gestational age was 38 weeks± 5days. paired T test showed that there is no significant differences between estimated fetal weight by ultrasound and actual birth weight Ïn SGÂ and LGÂ group ËFW by this method had a significant difference with actual birth weight (P<0.001). Ïn ÂGÂ group birth weight had no any significant difference with actual Birth weight.
Çonclusion: Âccuracy of weight estimation using the clinical examination and ultrasound was found to be low in SGÂ and LGÂ groups. Ïn LGÂ groups Johnson’s formula was more accurate than others. However, a systematic review with methaanalysis was recommended.

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Background and purpose : Ôverweight and obesity are generally considered to have a negative impact on longevity because of their association with many diseases, such as hypertension diabetes, coronary artery disease, osteoarthritis and cetain types of cancers. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of malnutrition (obesity and underweight) and some of their associated factors in elderly.
Materials and methods : This cross-sectional study was done on 1700 (733 male and 969 female) elderly people (60 years and over), in Ïsfahan during spring and summer 2004. Ëlderly were selected using a cluster sampling methodology, each containing 30 clusters. Âlso 58 elderly were selected randomly from each cluster. Respondents were asked to reply the questionnaire. Ânthropometric measurements were taken using digital scale and tape. Data were analyzed by using SPSS Ver 11.5 and using χ2 test, analyze of variance and correlation coefficient.
Results : Background variables like age, sex, education and occupation were found to be associated to BMÏ for elderly. There was a significant negative correlation between age and BMÏ for elderly. There was statistically significant relationship between cigarette smoking, watching TV and BMÏ for elderly. Based on BMÏ : 12% of males and 28.9% of females were obese, 5.9% of males and 4.1% of females were underweight based on WHR : 45% of males and 87.1 % of females were obese and based on WHTR : 75.3% of males and 83% of females were obese.
Çonclusion: Ôur results indicate that increasing the knowledge of the elderly people about balanced diet and aerobic sports proportionate to their age, seems to be necessary for the prevention of obesity. Âccording to our observations, changes in life style such as, decreasing of sedentary activities and avoidance from cigarette smoking are important measures for the prevention of malnutrition. Ïn all, efforts should be directed towards influencing those underlying factors decreasing obesity in the elderly.

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Background and purpose: Obesity is an undesirable outcome of changing of life style and behavior. In order to control obesity associated diseases, this study was aimed to determine the prevalence of obesity and its associated factors in population aged 20 to 70 years in urban areas of the province of Mazandaran, in North of Iran.
Materials and Methods: A population based cross-sectional study with a sample of 3600 subjects using cluster sampling techniques, was conducted in urban areas of four cities: Sari, Gaemshahr, Babol and Amol. In each city, 30 random clusters were selected based on cumulative family health number under coverage of different urban health centers using systematic sampling techniques. In each cluster, 15 men and 15 women aged 20 to 70 years were selected and assessed. The anthropometric measures (height, weight) were measured with standard methods and the social, demographic and some life style data were collected with interview using a designed questionnaire. In assessment of obesity, a standard recommended WHO method based on BMI distribution was used. The logistic regression model was used to estimate the age adjusted odds ratio and its 95% confidence interval and the P-value <0.05 was considered as significant level.
Results: The mean (±SD) age of men and women were 38.5±14.2 and 37.5 ±13.0 years respectively. The overall prevalence of obesity and overweight were 18.8% and 34.8% respectively (27.8%, 33.5% for men and 9.9% and 36.2% for women). The pattern of obesity was significantly different with age in both genders. The results of logistic regression model showed that the odds ratio of obesity for age increased up to 60 years and then it tended to decrease slightly (P<0.0001). The age adjusted odds ratio for obesity was greater roughly 3.6 times in women compared with men (P<0.0001). The adjusted odds ratio decreased with increasing the level of education (P<0.0001) while the odds ratio was 0.19 for education at university level (P<0.0001). The adjusted odds ratio was tended to decrease with occupational activities, physical activity level in leisure time and exercise level.
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate an increased rate of obesity and overweight in urban population. With respect to these findings, low level of physical activity and education, parity, family history of obesity, marriage at earlier age, gender and aging were responsible for obesity. Therefore, community based multiple strategies are required to combat the increasing rate of obesity and its subsequent complications.

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Background and purpose: Measurement of height and weight of children and adolescents are important sources of information and the best index for evaluation of their growth and nutritional and health status of society. This study performed to evaluate weight, height and pubertal stage of girls in sari.
Materials and methods: This cross – sectional study was performed on 1320 6-18 years old school girls in elementary guidance and high school of Sari. Their height, weight and pubertal stage were evaluated and recorded by educated personas . Also Body Mass Index was calculated and recorded. Then Z score (SDS) of weight, height and the Body Mass Index studied people was compared by using calculated standard curve and findings in NCHS curve and findings of 1997 in Sari. For analyzing data, descriptive statistics, Mean±SD, Frequency and percent were used.
Results: By using NCHS curve 1256 persons ( 95. 2 % ) from total persons that were studied , had normal height ( 5 – 95 percentile ) and the weight of 1254 persons ( 95 % ) were in 5 - 95 percentile . 2/5 centemers increasing in height and 2.5 Kg increasing in weight were seen in comparison to 1997 study .BMI of persons in all age groups ( expect 17 year old with ± 0.05 SD )were over than 50 percentile and mean age of beginning of menarche was 11.4 ± 1.1 .
Conclusion: Our study in Sari shows the improvement in growth index in comparison to 1997 study which become near to standard curve in developed country.

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Background and purpose: Osteoporotic fractures are much more common in older post-menopausal women and account for significant morbidity and mortality. Although age is an independent risk factor for fractures, bone micro-architecture is the predictor of subsequent fractures. Adequate calcium and Weight-bearing exercise are known to affect skeletal development, however, the effects of calcium supplement and treadmill endurance running on bone micro-architecture are not well known. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of treadmill endurance running training and calcium supplement, on micro-architectures of cortical and trabecular bone in the proximal tibia metaphyseal in ovariectomized Sprague Dawley rats.
Materials and methods: Forty-three rats were randomly divided into endurance running training, calcium supplement, control, pre-test and base groups. The rats in the treadmill running group performed the progressive running exercise in 12 to 20 m/minutes for a total of 10 to 60 minutes, 5 times a week. Calcium group received ca supplement using Gavage (35 mg/kg/day) for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, micro-architecture parameters in the proximal tibia metaphyseal were measured by using a semi-automated image analysis system.
Results:The ovariectomay was associated with a significant decrease in the trabecular volume and thickness, while separation insignificantly decreased in the cortical volume and thickness in the proximal tibia metaphyseal. The treadmill running exercise and calcium supplement significantly increased cortical or trabecular volume and also thickness and the trabecular separation compared with age-matched controls. Furthermore, the micro-architectures of cortical and trabecular bone in the proximal tibia metaphyseal was insignificant between the treadmill endurance running and calcium supplement groups.
Conclusion: Skeletal benefits can be obtained by changes in life style including: weight-bearing exercise or calcium supplement. Furthermore, weight-bearing exercise or calcium supplement, followed by ovariectomay had an inhibitory effect or reversal on micro-architecture parameters in weight-bearing bones.

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Background and purpose:Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) is the most frequent complicationin patients receiving haemodialysis (HD) that poses most problems for patient and treatment team. The use of sodiumprofile and ultra filtration (UF) profile is one of the preventive methods that have been recently introduced. However, increased intradialytic weight gain (IDWG) has been described as the side effect of this method. The aim of thisstudy was to evaluate the effects of linear and stepwise sodium and UF profile on Intradialytic hypotension and IDWG.
Materials and methods: This was a clinical trial study and crossover design. Twenty- six stable HD patients from two dialysis centers (Ali Asghar and Alzahra Hospitals) of Esfahan Universityunderwent three treatments: (1) control, constant dialysate sodiumconcentration of 138 mmol/l with constant UF (2) linearsodium profile + UF profile (type1), a linearly decrease dialysate sodium concentration (146–138mmol/l) combination with a linearly decreaseUF rate. (3) Stepwise sodium profile + UF profile (type2), a stepwise decrease dialysate sodium concentration (146-138mmol/l) combination with a stepwise decreaseUF rate. Data were analyzed using χ2 and independent t-test in SPSS software.
Results:In this study, a total of 26 patients (14 men, and 12 females) participated. The mean age was 46/8±19 years. In each group, 78 dialysis sessions and a total of 234 dialysis sessions were analyzed. The incidence of intradialytic hypotension, while receiving an intervention, wassignificantly reduced during linear and stepwise profiles, as compared with control (P<0.05, respectively). However, there was no significant differences between profiles. IDWG did not show any changes during three group.
Conclusion: Sodium profile and UF profile modulates the dialysate sodium concentration and ultra filtration rate and also, prevents the incidence of IDH while reducing nursing intervention, without increasing IDWG. Thus, using sodium profile and UF profile groups (linear and stepwise) is recommended for the prevention of hypotension, as compared to routine method.

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Background and purpose:Weight-based dosing of medication is used in theemergency and anesthesia departments.Ideally each patient should be weighed prior to dosing. However, this may not always occur, especially in the anesthesia department. The purpose of this study was to assess the prediction formula for actualpatient weight by the sum of head weight and estimated Anesthetic personnel.
Materials and methods:Diagnostic descriptive study was used for patient’s body weight, which had been estimated by anesthetic personnel's, while head patient weight was measured by instrument during anesthesia. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics and regression linear and compared with ANOVA test. The significance level in this study was.
Results:The mean total weight of patients that were estimated by the personnel of anesthesia was 65.7±11.7 kg. The mean actual weight was 65.2 ± 13.7 kg. The correlation coefficient between estimated actual weight is not significant.
Conclusion:This study showed that adding head weight to the estimation weight by anesthetic personnel, results in a more accurate weight estimation than head Wight alone.

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Background and purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 6 weeks of absolute and relative detraining on health (performance, body composition and cardiac indices) of elite weightlifters of Zanjan. Materials and methods: 20 elite weightlifters with average age of 24.05±4.14 yrs, 173.80±11.01 cm height, and 79.35±13.57 kg weight, with good performance during last year and medalist at regional, province and national levels from Zanjan were randomly divided to two groups (absolute and relative detraining). Detraining groups were exposed to 6 weeks of detraining (relative detraining group trained just once a week). Results of paired t-test showed that performance, stroke volume, ejection fraction and lean body mass decreased significantly (p=0/00) in both groups. Results: Result of independent t test showed that all of these decreases were significantly lower in relative detraining group than that of absolute detraining group. Body fat percent and septum thickness significantly increased in both groups and again, increases in these indices in absolute detraining group was significantly more than relative group. Conclusion: These results showed that 6 weeks of relative detraining maintains body health in compare to the absolute‌ detraining. However, relative‌ detraining (once a week session) also can't prevent athlete's health decreasing and probably for maintaining health of retired weightlifters, more training sessions are needed.

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Background and purpose: The newborn birth weight is an important indicator for prenatal care, general health and fetal viability. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between pre-pregnancy BMÏ and pregnancy weight gain on neonatal birth weight.
Materials and methods: Ïn a descriptive-analytical study, 16-40 years old pregnant mothers registered to prenatal clinics of Lowlagar and Mahdieh Hospitals in Tehran in the year 2009 were studied. Simple sampling method was used. Weight gain during prenatal visits was recorded and mothers were followed up for maternal-fetal outcomes till delivery. The association between primary BMÏ, total pregnancy weight gain and birth weight was assessed by multivariate regression model.
Results: 1084 eligible mothers with singleton, low risk pregnancy were studied. There was a statistically significant relationship between pre-pregnancy BMÏ and pregnancy weight gain and newborn birth weight (p<0.05). Ïn addition, maternal weight gain during pregnancy and neonate birth weight were related (p<0.001). Results of linear regression analysis showed that gestational age at birth, total pregnancy weight gain and pre-pregnancy BMÏ were effective in prediction of the neonate birth weight, with the gestational age at the time of labor having the highest impact on neonatal weight at birth (p<0.05).
Çonclusion: Based on the results, pregnancy weight gain regardless of pre-pregnancy BMÏ affects newborn birth weight. Therefore, appropriate maternal weight gain during pregnancy should be emphasized in support of neonatal health.

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Background and purpose: Since Low birth weight (LBW) is significantly related to infant mortality and it is one of the most important health indices at birth, this study was conducted to determine the most important factors affecting the low birth weight and their direct and indirect effects on response variable. Materials and methods: To accomplish this analytical cross-sectional study, a checklist containing mother and infant’s demographic and pregnancy information was employed. Those with the weight of less than 2500g were considered as LBW infants. The information related to the next infant born with normal weight was also recorded. Overall, 466 pieces of information related to mothers and infants were recorded. Then, probable causal paths were theoretically drawn and path coefficients were calculated by LISREL 8.8. Results: Path analysis revealed that the most effective factor on LBW was preterm delivery. The chance of LBW would incredibly increase with the occurrence of preterm delivery. The second important factor was pregnancy age and its negative path coefficient showed that the chance of LBW decreased with increase in the pregnancy age. Conclusion: LBW chance can be controlled by accurate controlling of pregnancy and prevention of unnecessary pregnancy termination.

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Background and purpose: Low birth weight (LBW) is a key determinant of infant morbidity and mortality. Zinc deficiency during pregnancy may have unfavorable effect on pregnancy outcome, particularly low birth weight. The aim of this study was to determine the association between infant anthropometric characteristic and cord blood plasma zinc level. Materials and methods: This study included 268 pairs of mothers and infants (at time of delivery) from whom 134 healthy mothers and their infants <2500g were recruited as case group and 134 healthy mothers and their infants weighing 2500-4000g were participated in control group. The subjects were selected from Fatemieh Hospital Hamadan, Iran. The infants’ birth weight, length, head circumference, chest and mid arm circumference were measured. Cord blood plasma zinc level was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). The concentration of plasma zinc less than 60 µg/dl was considered as sever zinc deficiency, between 60 to 70 µg/dl mild to moderate deficiency and more than 70 to 150 µg/dl were considered normal. Twin infants, abnormal infants and mothers who smoked, consumed alcohol, used illicit drugs, and those with severe stress were excluded from the study. Results: Sever zinc deficiency was significantly related to infant low birth weight [OR=12.382, CI 1.210, 126.710, P= 0.040]. No significant relationships were found between infant length, mid arm, chest and head circumference with plasma zinc level. Conclusion: Present study indicated a relationship between infant weights and severe zinc deficiency in plasma cord blood. Severe zinc deficiency could be considered as a major predictor of infant birth weight.