Early childhood development is the key to a
full and productive life for a child and to the progress of
a nation.1 The early stage of life is a period of rapid
growth and development from the first day of pregnancy
until 2 year of age, the so called “first 1000 days”. Thus,
this period offers a critical window of opportunity to
shape long term health. It is a period of enormous
potential, but also of enormous vulnerability.2
Depression can have negative effects on early infant
growth, a problem that might be more pronounced in
low income countries with less favourable environments.