Publication:

Growth and development status of preschool children in a rural community of Dehradun, Uttarakhand: a cross-sectional study

Background Growth and development monitoring consist of periodic assessment of physical parameters such as weight and height measurement and assessment of milestones. Community-based assessment of nutritional and developmental status helps in early identification of at-risk children and timely intervention.

Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 preschool children aged 3-6 years in a selected rural area of Dehradun, Uttarakhand, during June-August 2024. Children were selected through door-to-door survey using convenience sampling. Anthropometric measurements were assessed using WHO growth standards, and developmental screening was carried out using the Trivandrum developmental screening chart (TDSC).

Results Based on weight-for-age, 90% of children had normal nutritional status, while 10% were underweight. Stunting was observed in 23% of children, and wasting in 16%. Screening using TDSC identified children with delay in one or more developmental domains, indicating the need for further developmental evaluation. A statistically significant association was observed between time of weaning and nutritional status (χ²=5.56, p=0.018).

Conclusions Although, the majority of preschoolers had normal growth parameters, a considerable proportion showed evidence of chronic malnutrition and screened positive for developmental delay. Regular growth monitoring and developmental screening at the community level are essential to ensure early identification and intervention.