This longitudinal study investigates how environmental, psychosocial, and nutritional factors shape early child growth and brain development in low-socioeconomic communities in Karachi, Pakistan. Mother–child dyads are followed annually for four years beginning in early infancy, with repeated assessments of maternal health, mental well-being, and caregiving environment, alongside child growth, cognitive development, and brain structure and connectivity using MRI. Biological samples collected from mothers and children include blood, stool, hair, and human milk, with milk analyzed for micro- and macronutrient composition to characterize early nutritional exposure. By integrating developmental, neuroimaging, and nutritional data, the study aims to identify key pathways through which early-life adversity and nutrition influence child developmental trajectories in resource-limited settings.
Contact: Daniela Hampel, PhD
