In recent years there has been expanded interest in early childhood development (ECD) in low-and middle-income developing countries, as in developed countries. Increasingly, problems seen in schooling such as high repetition, early dropout rates, and poor learning, as well as poor health of youths and adults, are being traced to malnutrition, poor health, and abuse very early in the lives of children. Many studies have examined the consequences of child malnutrition and its impact on child schooling decisions and academic achievement; investments in preschool children improve later school success and therefore adult work productivity and incomes. Statistically significant positive associations are found between family background and schooling and child health, and a positive relationship between mother's schooling and child immunization rates has been observed across world regions.
