A cross-sectional study of the association of postnatal growth and psychosocial development of the infants in an urban slum of Delhi

Abstract

Background: Rapid growth of urban slums due to alarmingly increasing urbanization is adversely affecting the growth and development of infants residing in such deprived areas. Objectives: To study the association of postnatal growth and psychosocial development of urban slum infants. Methods: 202 infants and their mothers were included in a cross-sectional study conducted in Raja bazaar in 2002. Growth was assessed using anthropometric measurements: weight & length for age and development by psychosocial developmental scale developed by ICMR. Results: Development was delayed in significantly higher percentage of underweight (W/A Conclusions: Interventions to improve the postnatal growth will be helpful in facilitating the psychosocial development of infants living in urban slums.

Keywords

• Postnatal Growth
• Psychosocial Development
• Infants
• Urban Slum