The social determinants of early child development: An overview

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Abstract
Aim:  This paper offers an overview of the current state of knowledge of the critical social determinants of child development and the complex ways in which these can influence health trajectories.Methods:  We conducted an overview of the research conducted by medical and social scientists in the attempt to uncover the conditions under which children reach optimal health and developmental.Results:  The first years of life represent a critical period during which trajectories of health vulnerability are determined by the complex interplay between biological, genetic, and environmental conditions.Conclusions:  There are fundamental principles of optimal child development that apply to all human beings, regardless of language and culture.