Developmental potential in the first 5 years for children in developing countries

Prof Sally Grantham-McGregor et al
The Lancet, vol.369, Issue 9555, 6 January 2007-12 January 2007, Pages 60-70
University College London, UK

Many children younger than 5 years in developing countries are exposed to multiple risks, including poverty, malnutrition, poor health, and unstimulating home environments, which detrimentally affect their cognitive, motor, and social-emotional development.
...over 200 million children under 5 years are not fulfilling their developmental potential. Most of these children live in south Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
These disadvantaged children are likely to do poorly in school and subsequently have low incomes, high fertility, and provide poor care for their children, thus contributing to the intergenerational transmission of poverty.
Researchers say that malnutrition, such as iodine and iron deficiency, is one of the main reasons children fail to achieve their learning potential. Another problem is that their parents fail to engage them in activities that stimulate positive brain development.

The new study estimates that these disadvantaged children end up earning at least 20% less than their peers who had a healthier start to life.

The Lancet, vol.369, Issue 9555, 6 January 2007-12 January 2007, Pages 60-70