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World J Clin Pediatr. Dec 9, 2025; 14(4): 107346
Published online Dec 9, 2025. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.v14.i4.107346
Long-term consequences of unintended pregnancy: Impacts on early childhood growth and development in a multicenter study
Linda Yanti, Surtiningsih, Fauziah Hanum Nur Ardiyani, Midwifery Study Program, Faculty of Health, Universitas Harapan Bangsa, Banyumas 53182, Central Java, Indonesia
Ni Nyoman Ayu Desy Sekarini, Midwifery Study Program, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha, Singaraja 81116, Bali, Indonesia
Dwi Susanti, Department of Nursing, Batin Mangunang Regional General Hospital, Tanggamus 35384, Lampung, Indonesia
Mustaan, Department of Nursing, Lotim Medical Center Hospital, East Lombok 83611, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Murniati, Nursing Doctoral Program, Lincoln University College, Petaling Jaya 47301, Selangor, Malaysia
Murniati, Nursing Study Program, Universitas Harapan Bangsa, Banyumas 53182, Central Java, Indonesia
Supriyadi, Department of Biostatistics, Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokerto, Banyumas 53181, Central Java, Indonesia
Agus Santosa, Department of Nursing, Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokerto, Banyumas 53181, Central Java, Indonesia
ORCID number: Linda Yanti (0009-0005-8501-1562); Surtiningsih (0009-0005-4470-0097); Fauziah Hanum Nur Ardiyani (0000-0003-2496-9038); Ni Nyoman Ayu Desy Sekarini (0009-0009-9306-0582); Dwi Susanti (0009-0000-9694-0344); Mustaan (0009-0008-1887-2823); Murniati (0009-0004-4015-9486); Supriyadi (0000-0003-3949-8654); Agus Santosa (0000-0002-1535-8406).
Co-corresponding authors: Linda Yanti and Agus Santosa.
Author contributions: Yanti L contributed to study design, data collection, statistical analysis, data interpretation, manuscript preparation, literature search, and funding acquisition; Surtiningsih , Adriyani FHN, Sekarini NYAD, and Mustaan contributed to data collection; Murniati contributed to the literature search; Supriyadi contributed to the statistical analysis and data interpretation; Santosa A contributed to statistical analysis, data interpretation, literature search, and manuscript preparation. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. All authors take responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.
Institutional review board statement: This study was approved by the Health Research Ethics Committee of Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokerto with the registration number KEPK/UMP/19/VI/2021. The research adhered to the ethical principles of respect for persons, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice.
Informed consent statement: Subjects willing to participate were asked to sign an informed consent form.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare they have no financial or personal relationships with individuals or organizations that could inappropriately influence their work.
STROBE statement: The authors have read the STROBE Statement—checklist of items, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the STROBE Statement—checklist of items.
Data sharing statement: The datasets generated and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Linda Yanti, Lecturer, Midwifery Study Program, Faculty of Health, Universitas Harapan Bangsa, Jl. Raden Patah No. 100, Kedunglongsir, Ledug, Kecamatan Kembaran, Banyumas 53182, Central Java, Indonesia. lindayanti@uhb.ac.id
Received: March 21, 2025
Revised: April 17, 2025
Accepted: June 11, 2025
Published online: December 9, 2025
Processing time: 225 Days and 0.5 Hours

Abstract
BACKGROUND

Unintended pregnancy occurs when an individual or couple conceives without planning or desire, which can potentially affect a child’s physical, mental, and social well-being. This can then lead to long-term socioeconomic challenges for families and communities. Although its impact on child growth and development is a pressing concern, research remains limited particularly in multicenter settings.

AIM

To examine the long-term consequences of unintended pregnancy on the critical years of early childhood growth and development.

METHODS

This analytical observational study employed a case-control design and was conducted in research centers across Indonesia, encompassing those located in Central Java, Lampung, Bali, and West Nusa Tenggara. A total of 700 children aged ≤ 5 years with histories of intended or unintended pregnancies participated. Data collection involved structured interviews and direct anthropometric and developmental assessments. Data analyses were conducted using multivariate statistics and partial least squares structural equation modeling.

RESULTS

Unintended pregnancy was found to have a statistically significant effect on both child growth (t = 8.178; P < 0.001) and child development (t = 25.688; P < 0.001). Key growth problems identified included underweight, undernutrition, abnormal head circumference, and stunting. Developmental challenges prominently associated with unintended pregnancy included behavioral and emotional disorders, autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, social and motor skill deficits, as well as visual and hearing impairments.

CONCLUSION

Unintended pregnancy significantly affects child growth and development, underscoring the need for early intervention, quality prenatal care, and strengthened family planning policies.

Key Words: Unintended pregnancy; Child growth; Child development; Developmental delay; Undernutrition; Stunting

Core Tip: Unintended pregnancy was found to significantly affect the resultant children’s growth and development. The children of unplanned pregnancies more frequently presented undernutrition, abnormal growth patterns, emotional disorders, and developmental delays. To mitigate such risks to the child’s growth and development, early intervention, comprehensive prenatal care, and improved access to family planning are essential.



INTRODUCTION

Unintended pregnancy refers to a pregnancy that occurs without the intention or desire of the individual or couple[1,2]. This condition can have profound physical, mental, and social consequences for both the mother and the child[3]. Globally, unintended pregnancies remain a significant public health challenge, especially in low- and middle-income countries where access to family planning, education, and healthcare services may be limited[4]. The consequences of unintended pregnancies extend beyond immediate maternal and infant health risks, placing substantial burdens on healthcare systems, impeding progress toward sustainable development goals (SDGs), and perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.

In the Asian region, approximately 19.1% of pregnancies are unintended, with a particularly high prevalence among young women under 20 years[5]. In Indonesia, the number of teenage pregnancies rose from 55000 in 2021 to 60000 in 2022, with many cases resulting from premarital pregnancies[6]. Unintended pregnancies often result in inadequate prenatal care, increasing the risk of complications such as preterm birth and low birth weight[7]. In addition, women experiencing unintended pregnancies frequently face heightened stress, anxiety, and depression, which further impacts both maternal and fetal health[8].

Previous research has primarily focused on the immediate outcomes of unintended pregnancy—such as maternal mental health issues and adverse birth outcomes[3,4,6-8] A growing body of evidence has also linked unintended pregnancies to neurodevelopmental problems in children, including higher risks of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and social-emotional difficulties[9-11]. However, most studies remain limited to isolated outcomes and early infancy, leaving a gap in understanding the broader and longer-term impacts during the critical early childhood years. In particular, little is known about how unintended pregnancy may influence both growth and developmental trajectories—such as undernutrition, stunting, abnormal head circumference, and delays in motor, cognitive, and emotional development—especially in low-resource settings.

To address this gap we conducted a multicenter, retrospective analysis of the long-term consequences of unintended pregnancy on early childhood growth and development across several Indonesian provinces. It was hypothesized that unintended pregnancy negatively affects both physical growth and developmental outcomes in children under 5 years of age. Through a robust methodological approach that integrated anthropometric indicators and developmental screening tools, this study aimed to generate evidence that can inform targeted public health policies and early childhood interventions both nationally and globally.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study design and participants

This study employed an analytical observational approach with a case-control design[12]. It was conducted across multiple research centers in Indonesia, specifically in the provinces of Central Java, Lampung, Bali, and West Nusa Tenggara. The study focused on children aged ≤ 5 years to examine early developmental risks associated with unintended pregnancy, as this period is critical for long-term cognitive and physical development.

Participants were divided into two groups: The case group (children aged ≤ 5 years born from unintended pregnancies) and the control group (children aged ≤ 5 years born from intended pregnancies). Classification was based on parental interviews using predetermined criteria, including maternal age at pregnancy, number of children, birth spacing, extramarital conception, and history of contraceptive failure[13]. Children diagnosed with Down syndrome, intellectual disability, hydrocephalus, brain tumors, or other congenital anomalies were excluded from the study. A total of 700 children were enrolled, comprising 350 in the case group and 350 in the control group, selected through multistage random sampling[14].

Variable, instrument, and measurement

This study involved two types of variables: Manifest and latent. Manifest variables were directly measured through structured interviews, developmental assessments, and physical examinations. Latent variables—such as child growth and child development—were constructed from several related manifest variables and identified through statistical modeling. The manifest variables used to construct the latent variable child growth included the Height-for-Age Z-score (HAZ), Weight-for-Height Z-score (WHZ), BMI-for-Age Z-score (BAZ), and Head Circumference-for-Age Z-score (HCZ)[15].

For structural equation modeling analysis, all growth indicators were dichotomized. For HAZ, children categorized as ‘normal’ or ‘tall’ were coded as 0, while ‘stunted’ and ‘severely stunted’ were coded as 1. WHZ and BAZ were analyzed separately to reflect different aspects of nutritional status. For WHZ, children classified as ‘wasted’ or ‘severely wasted’ were coded as 1 and referred to as underweight. For BAZ, children classified as ‘underweight’ or ‘severely underweight’ were similarly coded as 1 and referred to as undernutrition, while all others—including those categorized as normal, overweight, or obese—were coded as 0. Although overweight and obesity are clinically important, they were not the primary focus of this study, which emphasized the impact of unintended pregnancy on undernutrition-related growth deficits. For HCZ, both macrocephaly and microcephaly were coded as 1 to indicate growth disorders, while normal head circumference was coded as 0.

The manifest variables that constructed the latent variable child development included motor and social skill development, hearing, vision, autism risk, emotional and behavioral functioning, and attention regulation. Motor and social skill development was assessed using the Indonesian Child Development Pre-screening Questionnaire[16] and categorized as either normal or having social communication and motor skill deficits. Hearing ability was measured using an age-appropriate hearing assessment tool[17], with results classified as normal or hearing impaired. Vision screening was conducted using the Visual Acuity Assessment Based on Age method[17,18], categorized as normal or having visual impairments. Autism risk was assessed using the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised with Follow-up[17,19], categorized as normal or indicative of ASD. Social-emotional and behavioral functioning was assessed with the Indonesian Child Emotional Problems Questionnaire[17,20], categorized as normal or presenting behavioral and emotional disorders. Lastly, attention regulation was measured using the Abbreviated Conners Rating Scale[17,21], categorized as normal or indicative of ADHD.

Statistical analysis

The research data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), a multivariate statistical technique that is well-suited for examining complex relationships among latent variables, particularly in exploratory research. The analysis was conducted using SmartPLS version 3.3.2[22]. Bootstrapping was performed with 5000 resamples to assess the statistical significance of path coefficients, providing robust estimates for hypothesis testing.

Measurement and structural model assessment

The evaluation of the model consisted of two key components: The measurement model (outer model) and the structural model (inner model). The measurement model was evaluated to ensure the reliability and validity of the constructs. Indicator reliability was assessed through outer loading values, with values above 0.50 considered acceptable in exploratory research. Internal consistency reliability was examined using Cronbach’s Alpha, while convergent validity was assessed via average variance extracted (AVE), where values exceeding 0.50 indicate sufficient convergence. Discriminant validity was confirmed using cross-loading analysis, ensuring that each indicator had a higher loading on its respective construct than on other constructs.

The structural model was evaluated by analyzing the path coefficients to determine the strength and direction of the hypothesized relationships between constructs. The coefficient of determination (R2) was used to assess the model’s explanatory power, representing the proportion of variance in the dependent constructs explained by the independent variable. Effect size (f2) was also examined to determine the magnitude of influence exerted by the exogenous construct, with classifications of small, medium, or large. Furthermore, predictive relevance (Q2) was assessed using the blindfolding procedure to evaluate the model’s ability to accurately reconstruct the observed data[22,23].

Ethical considerations

This study was approved by Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokerto (KEPK/UMP/19/VI/2021). All participants' parents were informed about the purpose of the study, research procedures, and written consent was obtained. They were assured that their personal information would be kept confidential, with full protection of their privacy. Additionally, participants were informed that they could withdraw from the interview or study at any time.

RESULTS
Characteristics of respondent

Table 1 presents the demographic and clinical characteristics of the children based on pregnancy intention. Among the 700 children analyzed, the distribution of sex was relatively balanced, with a slightly higher proportion of males in the unintended pregnancy group. The prevalence of low birth weight (< 2500 g) was also higher among children from unintended pregnancies (7.4%) than those from intended pregnancies (4.6%). Children from unintended pregnancies showed a higher prevalence of undernutrition as reflected by greater rates of wasting/severe wasting and underweight/severely underweight based on both WHZ and BAZ. Children from unintended pregnancies also experienced more stunting (23.4% vs 21.1%) and microcephaly (35.4% vs 22.3%) compared with children from intended pregnancies.

Table 1 Child characteristics based on intended and unintended pregnancy, n (%).
Characteristics
Intended (n = 350)
Unintended (n = 350)
Sex
    Male148 (42.3)166 (47.4)
    Female202 (57.7)184 (52.6)
Birth weight
    ≥ 2500 gr 334 (95.4)324 (92.6)
    < 2500 gr16 (4.6)26 (7.4)
Weight-for-length, Z-score
    Obese (> +3 SD)15 (4.3)12 (3.4)
    Overweight (> +2 SD)47 (13.4)35 (10.0)
    Risk of overweight (> +1 SD)62 (17.7)71 (20.3)
    Normal (> -2 to +1 SD)186 (53.2)118 (33.7)
    Wasted (< -2 SD)28 (8.0)80 (22.9)
    Severely wasted (< -3 SD)12 (3.4)34 (9.7)
BMI-for-age, Z-score
    Obese (> +3 SD)19 (5.4)15 (4.3)
    Overweight (> +2 SD)44 (12.6)35 (10.0)
    Risk of overweight (> +1 SD)63 (18.0)74 (21.1)
    Normal (> -2 to +1 SD)189 (54.0)124 (35.4)
    Underweight (< -2 SD)24 (6.9)71 (20.3)
    Severely underweight (< -3 SD)11 (3.1)31 (8.9)
Height-for-age, Z-score
    Tall (> +2 SD)19 (5.4)12 (3.4)
    Normal (-2 to +2 SD)251 (71.8)246 (70.3)
    Stunted (< -2 SD)74 (21.1)82 (23.4)
    Severely stunted (< -3 SD)6 (1.7)10 (2.9)
Head circumference-for-age, Z-score
    Macrocephaly (> +2 SD)3 (0.9)5 (1.4)
    Normal (-2 to +2 SD)269 (76.8)221 (63.2)
    Microcephaly (> -2 SD)78 (22.3)124 (35.4)
Screening child social-emotional and behavioral
    Normal 336 (96.0)196 (56.0)
    Behavioral and emotional disorders14 (4.0)154 (44.0)
Screening for autistic spectrum disorder
    Normal 299 (85.4)192 (54.9)
    Autism spectrum disorder51 (14.6)158 (45.1)
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
    No 334 (95.4)257 (73.4)
    Yes16 (4.6)93 (26.6)
The interdependence of motor and social skill development
    Normal286 (81.7)210 (60.0)
    Social communication and motor skill deficits64 (18.3)140 (40.0)
Pediatric vision screening
    Normal 336 (96.0)289 (82.6)
    Visual impairments14 (4.0)61 (17.4)
Hearing screening
    Normal304 (86.9)288 (82.3)
    Hearing impaired46 (13.1)62 (17.7)

Children from unintended pregnancies demonstrated poorer developmental outcomes across multiple domains. Behavioral and emotional disorders (44.0% vs 4.0%), ASD (45.1% vs 14.6%), and ADHD (26.6% vs 4.6%) were more prevalent in this group compared with children from intended pregnancies. Deficits in social communication and motor skills (40.0% vs 18.3%) as well as higher rates of visual (17.4% vs 4.0%) and hearing impairments (17.7% vs 13.1%) were also observed.

Model fit evaluation

Table 2 summarizes the results of the measurement and structural model evaluations. In the measurement model, outer loading values ranged from 0.504 to 0.855, indicating acceptable indicator reliability for exploratory research. Cronbach’s Alpha values (0.628-1.00) met the minimum threshold for internal consistency, while AVE values (0.689-1.00) confirmed good convergent validity. Discriminant validity was supported through cross-loadings, with each indicator loading higher on its intended construct than on others.

Table 2 Evaluation of measurement and structural model.
Measurement
Results
Standard
Outer model
Outer loading0.504-0.855> 0.70 (ideal), > 0.50 acceptable for exploratory research
Cronbach’s alpha0.628-1.00> 0.60 (exploratory), > 0.70 (confirmatory)
AVE0.689-1.00> 0.50
Cross-loadings Loading on own construct > other constructsLoading on own construct > other constructs
Inner model
Path coefficient0.276 (Child growth), 0.583 (Child development)Values closer to 1 indicate stronger relationships
R20.176 (Child growth), 0.339 (Child development)≥ 0.67 (substantial), ≥ 0.33 (moderate) and ≥ 0.19 (weak)
f20.182 (Child growth), 0.514 (Child development)≥ 0.35 (large), ≥ 0.15 (medium) and ≥ 0.02 (small)
Q20.131 (Child growth), 0.187 (Child development)> 0

For the structural model, path coefficients showed that unintended pregnancy had a moderate effect on child growth (β = 0.276) and a strong effect on child development (β = 0.584). The R2 values (0.176 for child growth and 0.339 for child development) indicate weak to moderate explanatory power. Effect sizes (f2 = 0.182 and 0.514) suggest moderate and large effects, respectively. Predictive relevance (Q2 = 0.131 for growth and 0.187 for development) confirms the model’s ability to predict the observed data.

Hypothesis testing

Hypothesis testing showed that unintended pregnancy had a statistically significant impact on both child growth (t = 8.178; P < 0.001) and child development (t = 25.688; P < 0.001). Among the child growth indicators, the strongest effects were observed in underweight status (t = 27.302), undernutrition based on BMI-for-age (t = 26.199), abnormal head circumference (t = 4.197), and stunting/severe stunting (t = 2.334).

The most affected domains for child development were behavioral and emotional disorders (t = 27.722), ASD (t = 17.942), ADHD (t = 11.855), social communication and motor skill deficits (t = 6.409), visual impairments (t = 5.378), and hearing impairments (t = 3.002). All indicators were statistically significant (P < 0.01). These findings reflected the robust and multifaceted impact of unintended pregnancy on both physical and developmental outcomes in early childhood. The full structural model illustrating these relationships is presented in Figure 1.

Figure 1
Figure 1 Structural model illustrating the impact of unintended pregnancy on child growth and development. Indicators for child growth include wasting; underweight based on body mass index-for-age; abnormal head circumference; and stunted or severely stunted. Developmental indicators include behavioral and emotional disorders; autism spectrum disorder; attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; social communication and motor skill deficits, visual impairments; and hearing impairments. Path relationships are considered statistically significant if t > 1.96 and P < 0.05. WSW: Wasting or severely wasting; USU: Underweight or severely underweight; AHC: Abnormal Head Circumference; SS: Severely Stunted; BED: Behavioral and Emotional Disorders; ASD: Autism Spectrum Disorder; ADHD: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder; SCMSD: Social Communication and Motor Skill Deficits; VI: Visual Impairments; HI: Hearing Impairments.
DISCUSSION

Unintended pregnancy appears to be significantly associated with an increased risk of both physical and developmental impairments in early childhood. Children born from unintended pregnancies exhibited higher rates of undernutrition as reflected in the WHZ and BAZ scores alongside stunting and abnormal head circumference. These children demonstrated a greater prevalence of behavioral and emotional disorders, ASD, ADHD, and delays in motor and social development. These findings highlighted the physical, cognitive, and emotional vulnerabilities faced by children from unintended pregnancies.

The mechanisms underlying these associations are multifaceted. A key contributing factor was the inadequate prenatal care that is often associated with unintended pregnancies. Studies have shown that females with unintended pregnancies are significantly less likely to seek antenatal care[24], depriving them of critical services such as health monitoring, nutritional counseling, and early detection of complications. This lack of knowledge regarding essential nutrients leads to deficiencies that directly impair fetal development including reduced brain growth, low birth weight, and abnormal head circumference[25-28]. These findings emphasized the importance of ensuring that all pregnancies, regardless of intention, receive adequate prenatal support. This is also a priority strongly aligned with the sustainable development goals.

Maternal psychosocial stress is often elevated in cases of unintended pregnancy and may play a critical role in explaining our observations. Chronic stress during pregnancy can impair placental blood flow, reducing nutrient transfer and increasing the risk of intrauterine growth restriction and premature birth[29,30]. Moreover, elevated levels of stress hormones such as cortisol can negatively influence fetal brain development, increasing the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders including ASD, ADHD, and emotional or behavioral dysregulation[9,31-33]. These mechanisms reinforce the importance of early detection and psychosocial support for pregnant women at risk.

The postnatal environment further compounds these risks. Unintended pregnancies have been linked to reduced maternal-infant bonding, higher incidence of postpartum distress, and lower rates of breastfeeding and immunization—all of which are essential for optimal early childhood development[34,35]. Children from these pregnancies may also face neglect or reduced parental investment, especially when born to mothers who are young, unmarried, or living in economic hardship. These conditions limit access to nutritious food, educational stimulation, and responsive caregiving—factors critical to a child’s physical, emotional, and cognitive development[26,36]. These findings underscore the importance of tailored interventions for high-risk mothers, including home-visitation programs, mental health support, and parenting education, to mitigate long-term risks and promote healthier outcomes.

A socioeconomic disadvantage further amplifies the developmental risks of unintended pregnancies. Many mothers in this study who experienced unintended pregnancies faced financial instability, which likely constrained their ability to access quality healthcare and nutrition. Economic hardship during both the prenatal and postnatal periods has been widely associated with poor growth outcomes, including stunting and undernutrition, as well as developmental delays[27,37,38]. These findings call for integrated public health strategies that go beyond clinical care and address the broader social determinants of health, particularly for women and children in low- and middle-income settings.

The design of this study was groundbreaking by involving diverse regions of Indonesia for multicenter, case-control research. By incorporating multiple regions with varying sociocultural contexts, the study provided robust, generalizable data on the impact of unintended pregnancy across different population groups. Furthermore, the use of PLS-SEM added a sophisticated analytical approach[22] to allow nuanced understanding of the relationships between unintended pregnancy and its various developmental outcomes. This level of statistical rigor ensured the reliability of the findings. Our observations have contributed significantly to the global body of research on child development and reproductive health.

While this study provides valuable insights, several limitations should be acknowledged. The retrospective design may introduce recall bias, particularly in how participants reported pregnancy intentions, potentially affecting data accuracy. Although the study controls for certain socio-economic factors, other crucial variables such as maternal mental health and access to healthcare services were not fully accounted for, which could influence child growth and development outcomes. Additionally, while the study offers important findings on early childhood growth and development, it does not assess long-term consequences beyond five years of age. Future longitudinal research is needed to evaluate how early-life disadvantages related to unintended pregnancy influence later academic achievement, social adaptation, and economic well-being.

Despite these limitations, this study presents robust empirical evidence on the lasting consequences of unintended pregnancy. The findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive strategies—ranging from improved access to family planning and quality prenatal care to enhanced postnatal support systems—to prevent intergenerational cycles of disadvantage and promote healthier child development trajectories.

CONCLUSION

This study provides strong evidence that unintended pregnancy has significant and multifaceted impacts on child growth and development. Children born from unintended pregnancies are more likely to experience undernutrition, abnormal head circumference, and stunting. Developmentally, they exhibit heightened risks of behavioral and emotional disorders, ASD, ADHD, as well as deficits in social communication, vision, and hearing. These findings highlight the urgent need to strengthen family planning services, ensure equitable access to prenatal and postnatal care, and address the socio-economic disparities that exacerbate these outcomes. Early identification and intervention are critical to mitigating developmental risks and improving long-term health trajectories. Future longitudinal studies should explore how these early-life disadvantages influence educational attainment, social functioning, and economic productivity in later life.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author would like to thank the research team, the research subjects from where the researchers took the data, and the institutions that have funded this research activity.

Footnotes

Provenance and peer review: Invited article; Externally peer reviewed.

Peer-review model: Single blind

Specialty type: Pediatrics

Country of origin: Indonesia

Peer-review report’s classification

Scientific Quality: Grade C

Novelty: Grade B

Creativity or Innovation: Grade B

Scientific Significance: Grade C

P-Reviewer: Lv X S-Editor: Liu H L-Editor: A P-Editor: Guo X

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