The relationship between delivery mode and children's growth from birth to 6 months.

BACKGROUND: Children's growth is one of the important components of health affected by various environmental factors like delivery type. This study aimed at determining the relationship between delivery mode and children's growth from birth to 6 months.

METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, the growth indices were studied among 526 children (272 Natural Vaginal Deliveries (NVDs) and 254 Caesarean sections (C/S) who were only breastfed. The primary samples consisted of pregnant women referred to Yasuj and Gachsaran Hospitals and health centers in 2014-2015. Data were collected using questionnaires and health records.

RESULTS: The results showed that there was no significant difference (p > .05) between the groups at birth, 2, 4 and 6 months in the mean (SD) of "weight, height and head circumference".

CONCLUSIONS: Attention to growth trend in NVD group was better, this is better for mothers that were encouraged to choose physiological and vaginal delivery.