Losses of children’s cognitive potential over time: A South African example

About 250 million children under the age of 5 years in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) lose lifelong cognitive potential. However, the primary focus of interventions has been to increase survival and promote growth. All pregnant women in 24 non-contiguous, low-income areas in Cape Town, Sou...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:SAJCH : the South African journal of child health 2023-09, Vol.17 (3), p.104-106
Main Authors: Rotheram-borus, M J, Christodoulou, J, Rotheram-fuller, E, Tomlinson, M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Health Care Sciences & Services
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Summary:About 250 million children under the age of 5 years in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) lose lifelong cognitive potential. However, the primary focus of interventions has been to increase survival and promote growth. All pregnant women in 24 non-contiguous, low-income areas in Cape Town, South Africa (N=1 238) were recruited between 2009 and 2010 and reassessed six times over 8 years post birth. Mothers in half of the 24 areas were randomised to receive home visits by community health workers, concentrated during the pregnancy and the first 6 months of life. At 18 months, the children’s cognitive development was at the global norm, i.e a mean standard deviation (SD) value of 100 (15). By 5 years of age, the mean cognitive development fell to one SD below the global norm (
ISSN:1994-3032
1999-7671
1999-7671
DOI:10.7196/SAJCH.2023.v17i3.2002