Prevalence and incidence of child stunting from birth to two years of life in Thai children: based on the Prospective Cohort Study of Thai Children (PCTC).

OBJECTIVE

To determine the percentages of prevalence and incidence in child stunting at birth, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months of age and to investigate the association between factors and child stunting outcome

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The Prospective Cohort Study of Thai Children (PCTC) was carried out during 2000-2002, data from five districts were examined, and anthropometric measurements were performed by the physician and research assistants. WHO's growth reference standard year 2005 was used.

RESULTS

Four thousand two hundred forty five children were included at the start of the present study of which 3,898 were in the final analysis. The prevalence in child stunting presented an increasing percentage at birth 6, 12, 18, and 24 months was 6.0, 6.9, 9.5, 14.6, and 16.6%, and incidence indicated decreasing at birth, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months was 6.0, 4.3, 4.1, 5.2, and 3.2% respectively. The GEE analysis showed that gender mother height, mother education, income, and Nan-Hill Tribe areas were significantly correlated with child stunting (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Finding from the present study indicates that to reduce child stunting in Thailand in early infant's life, early nutritional interventions and quality antenatal care are vital.