Data collection period

The First 1000 Days of life refers to the period starting from conception (the mother's pregnancy) until the child's second birthday (24 months or 2 years old).

Face-to-face interview sessions will be conducted in the clinics during the respondent’s scheduled appointment for routine check-ups. These sessions will be carried out by trained data collectors using mobile devices containing the study questionnaire

In addition, other activities conducted include:

• Self-administered questionnaire
• Telephone interview (through appointment)
• Anthropometric assessment
• Blood investigation

This period is crucial because during this time, baby's brain cells and body undergo rapid growth and development. Proper nutrition, personal healthcare and a healthy environment during this period can help prevent stunted growth, developmental delays and malnutrition.

Children who experience stunted growth are at a higher risk of facing long-term health issues into adulthood, such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, and mental health problems. Studies show that the percentage of children experiencing stunted growth in our country has been increasing every year.

The information provided by respondents in this study is highly important and will be used by the Ministry of Health for maternal and child health-related programs in the country. It will also facilitate in planning of new programs related to infant and child health in Malaysia.

For respondents, their participation will allow them to monitor their baby's growth, ensuring that their baby grows up healthy.

 LLS 2025-2028 is a prospective cohort study conducted by the Ministry of Health Malaysia in Langkawi, Kedah on 1000 pregnant women from the year 2025 until 2028, in which the participants will be followed up from conception until they give birth. Once the child is born, the infant will be followed up until he/she is two years old (24 months).

Participation in this study is entirely voluntary and data collection sessions will only be conducted with the respondent's consent.

Face-to-face data collection sessions will be scheduled to coincide with the respondent's routine check-up appointments at the health clinic. Data collection sessions via phone calls will only be conducted based on the date and time agreed upon by the respondent.

Pregnant mothers in the first trimester of pregnancy (less or at 12 weeks of pregnancy) receiving antenatal care in the government’s health clinics in Langkawi, Kedah, and the babies born to them.

All the information obtained in this study will be securely stored and handled following relevant regulations and/or laws. All information will only be used for this study purpose and the identities of the respondents participating will not be disclosed.

 The aim of this study is to obtain information on the factors influencing child growth from early pregnancy until they reach two years old in Malaysia. The collected information will be analysed and evaluated to improve the health of pregnant women and children in our country.

All the information obtained in this study will be securely stored and handled following relevant regulations and/or laws. All information will only be used for this study purpose and the identities of the respondents participating will not be disclosed.

Data will be collected through 11 sessions: three during pregnancy, one at birth and seven after birth at health clinics. The data collection sessions for this study will take place when the mother and child attend antenatal and postnatal check-ups as scheduled by the health clinic.

Data collection during pregnancy is scheduled three times: once in the first trimester, once in the second trimester, and once in the third trimester. Postnatal data collection will be conducted when the baby is 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 months old.

For further information or inquiries, visit the IKU website at www.iku.gov.my/LLS. You can also contact the LLS hotline at 03-3362 8792 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays or email us at LLS@moh.gov.my.

The data collection for this study will start in March 2025.