Programmes based on early childhood development (ECD) services play a vital role in improving child health and developmental outcomes. Across many countries, these programmes target children under 5 years of age—including those who are healthy, at risk or with developmental disorders—and are implemented in governmental and non-governmental organisations in both the health and non-health sectors globally. This protocol outlines a scoping review designed to systematically map and synthesise existing evidence on the components, implementation strategies and delivery mechanisms of ECD services worldwide. The review aims to inform the development of optimised and comprehensive interventions that support holistic child development.

This review will be conducted by Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and its recent advances. Several databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Science Direct and Web of Science, Scientific Information Database, Magiran, IranMedex and Barakat knowledge network system, will be initially searched for studies up to December 2024. All searches will be done for published or unpublished articles/reports without time and language restrictions. Two researchers will independently carry out screening of the included studies and extraction of data. Any discrepancies will be resolved by consensus. In case no initial consensus is reached, a third researcher will be consulted to make a decision. The findings will be synthesised through the content-analysis method.

The findings of this review may offer a novel perspective for developing a comprehensive package of ECD services within the Iranian health system. Furthermore, it provides a detailed roadmap for researchers and stakeholders aiming to enhance child health and prevent developmental disorders. This study received ethical approval from Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (ID: IR.TBZMED.REC.1404.139), with no ethical concerns as it involves no patient participation or interventions.

Prolonged QTc is a major risk factor for ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Anaemia’s impact on the QT interval is unclear and conflicting despite its association with increased mortality.

We investigated the association between anaemia and the prevalence of QTc prolongation, as well as potential gender differences in this relationship. Additionally, we examined whether haemoglobin levels were associated with QTc prolongation.

Observational cross-sectional study.

Sheshdeh, Fasa, Iran.

We analysed data from 5741 participants from the general population (aged 35–70 years) with no history of ischaemic heart disease; myocardial infarction; amiodarone use; multiple blood transfusions; or supplementation with iron, folic acid or cobalamin.

Anaemia was defined according to WHO guidelines (haemoglobin 450 ms in men or >470 ms in women.

Among 5741 participants, mean QTc was 427.91±24.75 ms, with QTc prolongation in 7.14%. Anaemia raised the odds of QTc prolongation by 60% (OR=1.60, 95%CI 1.12 to 2.28, p=0.010), particularly in females (OR=1.73, 95%CI 1.12 to 2.66, p=0.013), but not in males. Higher haemoglobin levels were associated with lower QTc prolongation risk (OR=0.91 per unit increase, 95% CI 0.85 to 0.97, p=0.005). No significant associations were observed between anaemia type/severity and QTc prolongation among anaemic individuals.

Anaemia was significantly associated with QTc prolongation, particularly in females. Anaemia type/severity did not affect QTc prolongation. Anaemia is associated with increased odds of QTc prolongation, particularly in women. While causality cannot be inferred from this cross-sectional analysis, the findings suggest that clinicians may consider QTc monitoring in anaemic patients, especially women and exercise caution when prescribing QT-prolonging medications. Prospective studies are needed to confirm whether anaemia directly contributes to QTc prolongation or arrhythmic risk.