The period from conception to two years of life denotes a critical window of opportunity for promoting optimal growth and development of children. Poor nutrition and health in women of reproductive age and during pregnancy can negatively impact birth outcomes and subsequent infant survival, health and growth. Studies to improve birth outcomes and to achieve optimal growth and development in young children have usually tested the effect of standalone interventions in pregnancy and/or the postnatal period. It is not clearly known whether evidence-based interventions in the different domains such as health, nutrition, water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and psychosocial care, when delivered together have a synergistic effect. Further, the effect of delivery of an intervention package in the pre and peri-conception period is not fully understood. This study was conceived with an aim to understand the impact of an integrated intervention package, delivered across the pre and peri-conception period, through pregnancy until 24 months of child age on birth outcomes, growth and development in children. An individually randomised controlled trial with factorial design conducted in urban and peri-urban low to mid-socioeconomic neighborhood in South Delhi, India. This study will demonstrate the improvement that can be achieved when key factors known to limit child growth and development are addresses together, throughout the continuum from pre and peri-conception until early childhood. The findings will increase our scientific understanding and provide guidance to nutrition programs in low- and middle-income settings.
