Early Human Development

Aims & Scope

Established as an authoritative, highly cited voice on early human development, Early Human Development provides a unique opportunity for researchers and clinicians to bridge the communication gap between disciplines.

Creating a forum for the productive exchange of ideas concerning early human growth and development, the journal publishes original research and clinical papers with particular emphasis on the continuum between fetal life and the perinatal period; aspects of postnatal growth influenced by early events; and the safeguarding of the quality of human survival.

The first comprehensive and interdisciplinary journal in this area of growing importance, Early Human Development offers pertinent contributions to the following subject areas: Fetology; perinatology; pediatrics; growth and development; obstetrics; reproduction and fertility; epidemiology; behavioural sciences; nutrition and metabolism; teratology; neurology; brain biology; developmental psychology and screening.

View Aims & Scope

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Metrics & Ranking

Impact Factor

Year	Value
2025	2
2024	2.20

Journal Rank

Year	Value
2024	6597

Journal Citation Indicator

Year	Value
2024	903

SJR (SCImago Journal Rank)

Year	Value
2024	0.815

Quartile

Year	Value
2024	Q1

h-index

Year	Value
2024	115

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Abstracting & Indexing

Journal is indexed in leading academic databases, ensuring global visibility and accessibility of our peer-reviewed research.

• Scopus
• Google Scholar
• Web of Science
• Medline
• Embase

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Subjects & Keywords

Journal’s research areas, covering key disciplines and specialized sub-topics in Medicine, designed to support cutting-edge academic discovery.

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Most Cited Articles

The Most Cited Articles section features the journal's most impactful research, based on citation counts. These articles have been referenced frequently by other researchers, indicating their significant contribution to their respective fields.

• Comparative aspects of the brain growth spurt

  Citation: 2125

  Authors: John, Jean

• Epidemiology of neonatal encephalopathy and hypoxic–ischaemic encephalopathy

  Citation: 1059

  Authors: Jennifer J., Melanie, Nadia

• The Dutch famine and its long-term consequences for adult health

  Citation: 877

  Authors: Tessa, Susanne, Rebecca

• Human breast milk: A review on its composition and bioactivity

  Citation: 826

  Authors: Nicholas J., Beate, Kirsty

• 2nd to 4th digit ratios, fetal testosterone and estradiol

  Citation: 724

  Authors: S., S., P., R., J.T.

• Are there behavioural states in the human fetus?

  Citation: 689

  Authors: J.G., H.F.R., C.B., R.S.G.M.

• The emergence of fetal behaviour. I. Qualitative aspects

  Citation: 660

  Authors: J.I.P., G.H.A., H.F.R.

• Intrauterine fatty acid accretion rates in human brain: implications for fatty acid requirements

  Citation: 631

  Authors: M.T., J.E., S., T., P.R., G.W.

• Prenatal maternal stress: effects on pregnancy and the (unborn) child

  Citation: 570

  Authors: E.J.H, P.G, A.C, B.R.H, J.K, G.H.A

• Retinopathy of prematurity: A global perspective of the epidemics, population of babies at risk and implications for control

  Citation: 531

  Authors: Clare

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