Data Sheet 1_Prevalence of growth retardation among children and adolescents in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis.pdf

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of growth delay in Chinese children and adolescents through a meta-analysis, providing scientific evidence for early intervention and prevention.
MethodsRelevant studies on the prevalence of growth delay in Chinese children were retrieved from eight major databases: China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, Chongqing VIP, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Two researchers independently assessed the quality of the studies based on the inclusion criteria for cross-sectional studies outlined in the STROBE guidelines. Any discrepancies were resolved through cross-checking. Data extracted from studies were analyzed using Stata 15.
ResultsA total of 50 studies were included, with a sample size of 2,644,818 participants. The meta-analysis revealed that the overall prevalence of growth delay in Chinese children and adolescents was 5.7% (95% CI: 5.3%–6.2%). Subgroup analysis by age demonstrated the following prevalence rates: 7.4% (95% CI: 6.6%–8.3%) for ages 0–2 years, 6.8% (95% CI: 6.1%–7.4%) for ages 3–6 years, 3.9% (95% CI: 3.6%–4.2%) for ages 6–12 years, and 3.0% (95% CI: 2.3%–3.6%) for ages 13–18 years. Statistically significant differences were observed between age groups (P < 0.05). With regard to gender, the prevalence was 6.2% (95% CI: 5.4%–7.0%) for males and 6.6% (95% CI: 5.7%–7.5%) for females, with no significant difference between genders (P > 0.05). Analysis by residential area indicated that the prevalence in rural areas was 8.4% (95% CI: 6.2%–10.5%), compared to 3.5% (95% CI: 2.5%–4.4%) in urban areas, showing a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). Geographically, the Southwest region had the highest prevalence at 9.2% (95% CI: 4.4%–14%), followed by South China (7.0%, 95% CI: 5.7%–8.3%), Northwest China (5.7%, 95% CI: 2.5%–9.0%), Central China (3.8%, 95% CI: 1.4%–6.1%), East China (2.6%, 95% CI: 2.0%–3.2%), and North China (1.8%, 95% CI: 1.1%–2.4%). No significant differences were found in growth delay prevalence among regions (P > 0.05). In terms of study year, the prevalence was 25.8% (95% CI: 2.2%–49.5%) in 2005–2009, 5.2% (95% CI: 3.9%–6.6%) in 2010–2019, and 3.0% (95% CI: 2.7%–3.3%) in 2020–2024, with statistically significant differences observed across years (P < 0.05).
ConclusionThe prevalence of growth delay in Chinese children and adolescents is gradually decreasing, with variations across age groups and residential environments. Efforts to alleviate this issue should include enhanced public health awareness, promotion of healthy lifestyles, improved family nutrition education and training, and strengthening of the healthcare system.
Systematic Review RegistrationCRD42024579022.

研究目的
本研究旨在通过荟萃分析明确中国儿童青少年生长迟缓的患病率，为早期干预与预防提供科学依据。

研究方法
本研究从中国知网（China National Knowledge Infrastructure, CNKI）、万方、重庆维普、中国生物医学文献数据库、PubMed、Embase、Cochrane图书馆及Web of Science共8个主流数据库中检索有关中国儿童生长迟缓患病率的相关研究。两名研究者依据STROBE指南中横断面研究的纳入标准独立评估研究质量，存在分歧时通过交叉核对解决。采用Stata 15软件对提取的研究数据进行分析。

研究结果
本研究共纳入50项研究，样本量达2644818名参与者。荟萃分析结果显示，中国儿童青少年生长迟缓总患病率为5.7%（95%置信区间：5.3%~6.2%）。按年龄分组的亚组分析结果如下：0~2岁年龄段患病率为7.4%（95%置信区间：6.6%~8.3%），3~6岁为6.8%（95%置信区间：6.1%~7.4%），6~12岁为3.9%（95%置信区间：3.6%~4.2%），13~18岁为3.0%（95%置信区间：2.3%~3.6%）；不同年龄组间患病率差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。按性别分组分析显示，男性患病率为6.2%（95%置信区间：5.4%~7.0%），女性为6.6%（95%置信区间：5.7%~7.5%），性别间差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。按居住地域分析显示，农村地区患病率为8.4%（95%置信区间：6.2%~10.5%），城市地区为3.5%（95%置信区间：2.5%~4.4%），二者差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。按地理区域划分，西南地区患病率最高，达9.2%（95%置信区间：4.4%~14%），其次为华南地区（7.0%，95%置信区间：5.7%~8.3%）、西北地区（5.7%，95%置信区间：2.5%~9.0%）、华中地区（3.8%，95%置信区间：1.4%~6.1%）、华东地区（2.6%，95%置信区间：2.0%~3.2%）及华北地区（1.8%，95%置信区间：1.1%~2.4%）；各地理区域间生长迟缓患病率差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。按研究年份分组分析显示，2005~2009年患病率为25.8%（95%置信区间：2.2%~49.5%），2010~2019年为5.2%（95%置信区间：3.9%~6.6%），2020~2024年为3.0%（95%置信区间：2.7%~3.3%）；不同研究年份间患病率差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。

研究结论
中国儿童青少年生长迟缓患病率呈逐渐下降趋势，且在不同年龄组与居住环境中存在差异。针对该问题的干预措施应包括提升公众健康认知、推广健康生活方式、加强家庭营养教育与培训，以及完善医疗保健体系。

系统综述注册编号
CRD42024579022。