Longitudinal Child Growth Data from Rural Southern India, 2009 Cohort

540 children from rural Telangana were tracked from birth to age five, with anthropometric measurements taken every six months initially and then yearly. The data compares growth patterns between low-birth-weight and normal-birth-weight children, showing persistent malnutrition. Kalpana Betha published this longitudinal study on figshare in May 2026.

Use Cases

• Modeling child growth trajectories based on longitudinal height and weight measurements.
• Comparing malnutrition prevalence (stunting, wasting, underweight) between low-birth-weight and normal-birth-weight cohorts.
• Analyzing sex-based differences in growth patterns among rural Indian children.
• Assessing the narrowing gap in anthropometric indices between LBW and NBW children over time.

Strengths

• 540 children tracked longitudinally from birth to 60 months.
• Measurements taken at regular intervals (every 6 months until 24 months, then yearly).
• Compares low-birth-weight and normal-birth-weight groups with statistical analysis.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect geographic bias inherent to a single rural district in Telangana.

Provenance

Source

Longitudinal Indian Family hEalth (LIFE) birth cohort.

Collection Method

Trained staff recorded height and weight via standardized methods at scheduled intervals.

Time Range

Cohort established in 2009, with measurements from birth to 60 months.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-05-14 05:43:30; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Rural to peri-urban villages in Medchal-Malkajgiri district, Telangana State, India.