ORALS

The first one thousand days in a person’s life set the stage for the rest of development, learning, and participation in community.  The brain is developing at a very rapid rate, and neurons undergo proliferation, growth, migration, differentiation, synapse formation, and myelination in this critical time period.  Many life influences contribute to early neurodevelopment, including caregiver stimulation, security and attachment, nutrition, safety and health.  Infants who experience higher burdens of poverty, illness or malnutrition are more likely to experience challenges in growth and development.  Enteric infections are common in children growing up in low- and middle-income countries.  Enteric infections may cause diarrheal illness, and may also contribute to environmental enteropathy, malnutrition, challenges with linear growth, and school days lost due to poor health.  Children growing in families who experience high rates of illness may not be able to participate in play, learning experiences and exploration as often as healthier peers.  Enteric disease may lead to malnutrition and lack of nutrients needed for healthy brain growth and child development.  In seeking to reduce educational disparities, interventions that target early life influences may help provide children with the best opportunities for health and thriving.  In this session, we will explore the available data on early life infections and academic outcomes, as well as discuss opportunities for intervention.