Justification: Early Childhood Development (ECD) has lifelong impact on learning, education, productivity, socio-emotional functioning, health and disease. A Consensus Statement for promoting ECD is needed to improve patient care and promote research.
Process: Indian Academy of Pediatrics convened a National Consultative Meeting on 20 September, 2019 at Surat to discuss the way forward for pediatricians in ECD and form a consensus advisory statement. Experts from Chapters of Infant and Young Child Feeding, Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics, Neonatology, Growth Development and Behavior, Adolescent Health Academy, Parenting for Peace and UNICEF participated.
Objectives: To formulate, endorse and disseminate a consensus advisory statement of working at current levels of resources and to build future framework for ECD from Indian perspective.
Conclusions: Interventions for ECD should begin from conception to adolescence, prioritized in first 3 years, inclusive and equitable for all, especially for high risk, vulnerable and marginalized families. Pediatric clinics can play a pivotal role as cost effective delivery points for guidance and interventions. Age appropriate approaches, active care giver's involvement, advocacy and integration with different sectors, community and policy makers should be done to enable supportive environment. Research should be promoted into finding cost effective novel scalable interventions.