Early-childhood linear growth faltering in low- and middle-income countries

Globally, 149 million children under 5 years of age are estimated to be stunted (length more than 2 standard deviations below international growth standards)1,2. Stunting, a form of linear growth faltering, increases the risk of illness, impaired cognitive development and mortality. Global stunting estimates rely on cross-sectional surveys, which cannot provide direct information about the timing of onset or persistence of growth faltering-a key consideration for defining critical windows to deliver preventive interventions. Here we completed a pooled analysis of longitudinal studies in low- and middle-income countries (n = 32 cohorts, 52,640 children, ages 0-24 months), allowing us to identify the typical age of onset of linear growth faltering and to investigate recurrent faltering in early life. The highest incidence of stunting onset occurred from birth to the age of 3 months, with substantially higher stunting at birth in South Asia. From 0 to 15 months, stunting reversal was rare; children who reversed their stunting status frequently relapsed, and relapse rates were substantially higher among children born stunted. Early onset and low reversal rates suggest that improving children's linear growth will require life course interventions for women of childbearing age and a greater emphasis on interventions for children under 6 months of age. A pooled analysis of longitudinal studies in low- and middle-income countries identifies the typical age of onset of linear growth faltering and investigates recurrent faltering in early life.

Automated summary

Globally, an estimated 149 million children under the age of 5 are affected by stunted growth, which increases the risk of illness, impaired cognitive development, and mortality. A pooled analysis of longitudinal studies in low- and middle-income countries reveals that the highest incidence of stunting onset occurs from birth to 3 months, with South Asia having higher levels of stunting at birth. The study also found low reversal rates and high relapse rates among children who reversed their stunting status, particularly those born stunted. This highlights the need for life course interventions for women of childbearing age and greater emphasis on interventions for children under 6 months to improve linear growth.