The impact of the pre-pregnancy care package on low birth weight and stunting

What is it about?

Children’s health is influenced by many things. Two big challenges are when babies are born smaller than usual, called lower birth weight (LBW) and when children don’t grow as tall as they should because of poor nutrition, also known as stunting. In this study, scientists used an individually randomized trial design to develop new strategies in order to solve these issues. They provided a package of health, nutrition, psychosocial care and support, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH). The effects of the care package were studied during the pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and early childhood periods. This design was tested on low- and middle-income neighbourhoods in Delhi, India.

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Photo by Alex Hockett on Unsplash

Photo by Alex Hockett on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Stunting and LBW are global problems. Every year, about 20.5 million (14.6%) infants are born with LBW, with 48% in South Asia. Stunting is also a common issue in India, affecting almost 37.9% of children under the age of five. These problems can be linked to a mother's health, nutrition, and psychological condition. So, to lower the rates of LBW and stunting, measures must be taken before pregnancy, during pregnancy, and during early childbirth. Providing a care package, including health, nutrition, and hygiene support, helps reduce the risk of LBW and stunting. By combining these methods in the healthcare system, high-risk pregnant women and their newborns can be quickly identified and treated. KEY TAKEAWAY: Special care during pregnancy and early childhood helps babies be born healthy and grow well. It includes making sure mothers are health, having proper nutrition and clean water. This research relates to the following Sustainable Development Goals: • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being • SDG 2: Zero Hunger • SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities