Malnourished Children Still Have Hope Beyond First 1,000 Days

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/12/131211132724.htm

Dec. 11, 2013 — Children who are malnourished during their first 1,000 days (conception to age 2) often experience developmental setbacks that affect them for life.

To that end, philanthropic groups have funded massive global health initiatives for impoverished infants and pregnant women around the world. While money flows justifiably to this cause, programs for children past the 1,000-day mark are seen as having little hope, and garner less support.

But new research from Brigham Young University is finding that global health workers should not give up on impoverished children after that critical time frame.

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"The first 1,000 days are extremely critical, but we found that the programs aimed at helping children after those first two years are still impactful," Crookston said.

Specifically, the study found that nutritional recovery after early growth faltering might have significant benefits on schooling and cognitive achievement.

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"The first 1,000 days is the most critical window, but nutrition should still be a life focus," he said. "We shouldn't give up on those kids and we should continue programs because we can still have modest, but meaningful returns."