Enhanced efforts have been made in recent years to improve access and utilization of optimal care practices during pregnancy and early childhood in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Yet only around half of pregnant women receive the minimum of the four recommended antenatal visits. This has resulted in a high burden of adverse pregnancy outcomes, namely babies born low birth weight, small-for-gestational age, or preterm. Postnatal care and care in the first two years of life are also suboptimal, resulting in a high burden of undernutrition and the child’s inability to achieve the optimal neuro-cognitive development. Optimal nutrition, physical activity, management of morbidities, and promotion of maternal mental health have been shown to improve pregnancy outcomes. Recommended child caring practices pertaining to breast feeding and complementary feeding, early identification and management of illnesses, and quality of stimulation and responsive care are known to benefit outcomes in children.
This Research Topic is a concerted effort to synthesize relevant evidence from LMICs in the areas listed below, for better understanding of what works to improve outcomes during pregnancy and childhood. We welcome original research from population-based studies, conducted in LMICs that examine the impact of care before and during pregnancy on outcomes during pregnancy and at birth. We also welcome studies assessing the impact of care during postnatal period and early childhood on optimal child caring practices, growth and development in children under two years of age.
The evidence can be from population-based randomized trials and observational studies. Key themes include but not limited to are:
• Pregnancy: pre-pregnancy and antenatal care, pregnancy and birth complications, gestational weight gain, non-communicable diseases, psychosocial and mental health, substance abuse, nutrition intake, supplements, activity
• Infant and early childhood (<2 years): optimal breastfeeding practices, complementary feeding practices, nutrition intake, supplementation, growth monitoring, early child play and stimulation, infection control, neurodevelopment, malnutrition
Enhanced efforts have been made in recent years to improve access and utilization of optimal care practices during pregnancy and early childhood in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Yet only around half of pregnant women receive the minimum of the four recommended antenatal visits. This has resulted in a high burden of adverse pregnancy outcomes, namely babies born low birth weight, small-for-gestational age, or preterm. Postnatal care and care in the first two years of life are also suboptimal, resulting in a high burden of undernutrition and the child’s inability to achieve the optimal neuro-cognitive development. Optimal nutrition, physical activity, management of morbidities, and promotion of maternal mental health have been shown to improve pregnancy outcomes. Recommended child caring practices pertaining to breast feeding and complementary feeding, early identification and management of illnesses, and quality of stimulation and responsive care are known to benefit outcomes in children.
This Research Topic is a concerted effort to synthesize relevant evidence from LMICs in the areas listed below, for better understanding of what works to improve outcomes during pregnancy and childhood. We welcome original research from population-based studies, conducted in LMICs that examine the impact of care before and during pregnancy on outcomes during pregnancy and at birth. We also welcome studies assessing the impact of care during postnatal period and early childhood on optimal child caring practices, growth and development in children under two years of age.
The evidence can be from population-based randomized trials and observational studies. Key themes include but not limited to are:
• Pregnancy: pre-pregnancy and antenatal care, pregnancy and birth complications, gestational weight gain, non-communicable diseases, psychosocial and mental health, substance abuse, nutrition intake, supplements, activity
• Infant and early childhood (<2 years): optimal breastfeeding practices, complementary feeding practices, nutrition intake, supplementation, growth monitoring, early child play and stimulation, infection control, neurodevelopment, malnutrition