Factors Associated with Early Childhood Development: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Introduction: The delay of child development is one of the major public health problems, which is related to various factors.

Study method: a systematic review to study factors associated with early childhood development.  By searching from electronic databases: PubMed, Google scholar and Thai Journal online published in 2017-2022 The quality of the articles was appraised based on bias consideration on measurement and sample selection by using Heller's evaluation criteria¹. A total of 15 articles were met.

Results: It was found factors related to early childhood development were as follows: 1) Maternal factors: age, educational level, occupation, family income, antenatal care, iron iodine supplementation during pregnancy of mothers. Illness or drug use during pregnancy, underlying disease, mother's history of alcohol use, breast-feeding and parental concerns about child development. 2) Child factors: birth weight, sex, age of the child, duration of breastfeeding, premature birth, congenital disease, complications after childbirth, taking iron supplements and difficult temperament. 3) Environmental factors: nurturing care, storytelling, time spent watching television, and playing computer/mobile games, play activity, and reading child-health books of caregiver

Conclusions: Factors associated with early childhood development were maternal, child and environmental factors. Relevant personnel should use these findings as guidelines for planning and research to promote the development of early childhood children appropriately.