Care During Pregnancy and Early Childhood for Growth and Development in Low- and Middle- Income Countries

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Editorial

09 January 2024

Editorial: Care during pregnancy and early childhood for growth and development in low- and middle- income countries

Ranadip Chowdhury

,

Ravi Prakash Upadhyay

,

Bireshwar Sinha

,

Sunita Taneja

, 1 more and

Nita Bhandari

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Editors

6

Nita Bhandari

Society for Applied Studies

Jai Das

Aga Khan University

Sunita Taneja

Center for Health Research and Development, Society for Applied Studies

Ravi Prakash Upadhyay

Center for Health Research and Development, Society for Applied Studies

Ranadip Chowdhury

Society for Applied Studies

Bireshwar Sinha

Centre for Health Research and Development Society for Applied Studies

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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

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Editors

Nita Bhandari

Society for Applied Studies

Jai Das

Aga Khan University

Sunita Taneja

Center for Health Research and Development, Society for Applied Studies

Ravi Prakash Upadhyay

Center for Health Research and Development, Society for Applied Studies

Ranadip Chowdhury

Society for Applied Studies

Bireshwar Sinha

Centre for Health Research and Development Society for Applied Studies

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84,336 Total views

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Published In

Frontiers in Nutrition

Nutritional Epidemiology

Frontiers in Pediatrics

Neonatology

Frontiers in Medicine

Family Medicine and Primary Care

Frontiers in Public Health

Family Medicine and Primary Care

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