Drought and Early Child Health in Rural India
Population and Development Review, 2016, 42(2), 397-397
35 Pages Posted: 10 Aug 2014 Last revised: 10 Feb 2022
Date Written: August 8, 2014
Abstract
Barker’s fetal origins hypothesis suggests a strong relationship between in utero conditions, health and overall child development after birth. Using nationally representative population survey, this paper analyzes the impact of rainfall on early child health in rural India. We find that drought experienced in utero has detrimental effects on nutritional status of children. Effects appear to be stronger for boys, low caste children, and children exposed to drought in the first trimester. Results are robust to alternative definitions of drought. Our estimates speculate that policies aimed at reducing vulnerability to negative rainfall shock may result into improved health and higher human capital accumulation in rain-dependent agrarian countries.
Keywords: Fetal origins hypothesis, undernutrition, rainfall, India
JEL Classification: I15; I18; O12; O15
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