Asociación entre el tiempo de permanencia en el Programa de Estancias Infantiles para niños en situación de pobreza y el nivel de desarrollo infantil / Association between time of permanence at early education program (Estancias Infantiles) and developmental level for children in situation of poverty

Resumen: Introducción: El Programa de Estancias Infantiles (PEI) se enfoca en padres de niños de 1-3 años en situación de pobreza. Incluye educación y cuidado de los niños por 8 h, 5 días por semana. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la asociación entre el tiempo de permanencia en el PEI y el nivel de desarrollo infantil. Métodos: Estudio transversal de base poblacional en dos estados de México. Se incluyeron todos los niños de 12-48 meses inscritos al PEI de noviembre de 2014 a enero de 2015. Se evaluó el nivel de desarrollo con la prueba EDI. Se calculó la razón de momios de prevalencia (RMP) para desarrollo normal por tiempo de estancia, ajustado por sexo, edad y discapacidad, teniendo como referencia a los niños que tenían < 30 días en el PEI. Resultados: Se incluyeron 3387 niños de 177 estancias infantiles: 53% de sexo masculino; 22.3% de 12-24 meses, 37.6% de 25-36 meses y 40.1% de 37-42 meses de edad. El RMP ajustado para desarrollo normal fue de 1.90 (IC95%:1.30-2.78) para 6-11 meses, 2.36 (IC95%:1.60-3.50) para 12-17 meses, 2.78 (IC95%:1.65-4.65) para 18-23 meses y 3.46 (2.13-5.60) para > 24 meses. Por área de desarrollo, se observó una mayor probabilidad de desarrollo normal a partir de 6 meses de estancia para lenguaje y social, y a partir de 12 meses para motor grueso, fino y conocimiento. Conclusiones: El tiempo de permanencia en el PEI a partir de 6 meses incrementa, de forma significativa y progresiva, la probabilidad de tener un desarrollo normal independiente del sexo y edad.

Abstract: Background: Early education program (EEP) was created to support parents with 1 to 3 year olds living in poverty situation in Mexico, and includes education and child daycare for 8 h five days per week. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between length of stay in EEP and the level of development in children. Methods: Cross sectional, population-based study conducted in two Mexican states. All children aged between 12 to 48 months enrolled in EEP from November 2014 to January 2015 were included. Child Development Evaluation (CDE) test was used to screen early development in every child. Normal early development prevalence odds ratio (OR) was calculated adjusted by gender, impairment and state, using as a reference those children with less than 30 days in the program. Results: The study included 3,387 children from 177 EEP nurseries, from which 53% were male; age by group was divided in 12-24 months (22.3%), 25-36 months (37.6%) and 37-42 months (40.1%). Normal development adjusted OR by age was 1.9 (CI95%: 1.30-2.78) for 6-11 months, 2.36 (CI95%: 1.60-3.50) for 12-17 months, 2.78 (CI95%: 1.65-4.65) for 18-23 months and 3.46 (CI95%: 2.13-5.60) for >24 months. By area of development, a greater probability of having a normal result for language and social areas was observed after 6 months in the program, and for motor (both gross and fine) and knowledge areas after 12 months. Conclusion: The length of the stay in the EEP after 6 months significantly and progressively increases the probability of normal development regardless of gender and age.

[Association between time of permanence at early education program (Estancias Infantiles) and developmental level for children in situation of poverty]. / Asociación entre el tiempo de permanencia en el Programa de Estancias Infantiles para niños en situación de pobreza y el nivel de desarrollo infantil.

BACKGROUND: Early education program (EEP) was created to support parents with 1 to 3 year olds living in poverty situation in Mexico, and includes education and child daycare for 8h five days per week. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between length of stay in EEP and the level of development in children. METHODS: Cross sectional, population-based study conducted in two Mexican states. All children aged between 12 to 48 months enrolled in EEP from November 2014 to January 2015 were included. Child Development Evaluation (CDE) test was used to screen early development in every child. Normal early development prevalence odds ratio (OR) was calculated adjusted by gender, impairment and state, using as a reference those children with less than 30 days in the program. RESULTS: The study included 3,387 children from 177 EEP nurseries, from which 53% were male; age by group was divided in 12-24 months (22.3%), 25-36 months (37.6%) and 37-42 months (40.1%). Normal development adjusted OR by age was 1.9 (CI95%: 1.30-2.78) for 6-11 months, 2.36 (CI95%: 1.60-3.50) for 12-17 months, 2.78 (CI95%: 1.65-4.65) for 18-23 months and 3.46 (CI95%: 2.13-5.60) for >24 months. By area of development, a greater probability of having a normal result for language and social areas was observed after 6 months in the program, and for motor (both gross and fine) and knowledge areas after 12 months. CONCLUSION: The length of the stay in the EEP after 6 months significantly and progressively increases the probability of normal development regardless of gender and age.

Impacto de un modelo de capacitación de la prueba Evaluación del Desarrollo Infantil en la atención primaria / Impact of a training model for the Child Development Evaluation Test in primary care

ResumenIntroducción: La prueba Evaluación del Desarrollo Infantil (EDI) es una herramienta de tamiz para la detección oportuna de problemas del desarrollo, diseñada y validada en México. Para que sus resultados sean confiables, se requiere que el personal que la aplique haya adquirido los conocimientos necesarios previamente, a través de un curso de capacitación en la unidad de salud que labore. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el impacto de un modelo de capacitación impartido al personal que trabaja en atención primaria en seis entidades federativas en México. Lo anterior mediante la comparación de los conocimientos adquiridos en la capacitación.Método: Se realizó un estudio de evaluación de antes y después, considerando como intervención el haber acudido a un curso de capacitación sobre la prueba EDI de octubre a diciembre de 2013.Resultados: Se incluyeron 394 participantes. Las profesiones fueron las siguientes: medicina general (73.4%), enfermería (7.7%), psicología (7.1%), nutrición (6.1%), otras profesiones (5.6%). En la evaluación inicial, el 64.9% obtuvo una calificación menor a 20. En la evaluación final, disminuyó al 1.8%. En la evaluación inicial aprobó el 1.8% comparado con el 75.1% en la evaluación final. Las preguntas con menor porcentaje de respuestas correctas fueron las relacionadas con la calificación de la prueba.Conclusiones: El modelo de capacitación resultó adecuado para adquisición de conocimientos generales sobre la prueba. Para mejorar el resultado global se requiere reforzar los temas de calificación e interpretación de los resultados en futuras capacitaciones, y que los participantes realicen una lectura previa del material de apoyo.

AbstractBackground: The Child Development Evaluation (CDE) Test is a screening tool designed and validated in Mexico for the early detection of child developmental problems. For professionals who will be administering the test in primary care facilities, previous acquisition of knowledge about the test is required in order to generate reliable results. The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of a training model for primary care workers from different professions through the comparison of knowledge acquired during the training course.Methods: The study design was a before/after type considering the participation in a training course for the CDE test as the intervention. The course took place in six different Mexican states from October to December 2013. The same questions were used before and after.Results: There were 394 participants included. Distribution according to professional profile was as follows: general physicians 73.4%, nursing 7.7%, psychology 7.1%, nutrition 6.1% and other professions 5.6%. The questions with the lowest correct answer rates were associated with the scoring of the CDE test. In the initial evaluation, 64.9% obtained a grade lower than 20 compared with 1.8% in the final evaluation. In the initial evaluation only 1.8% passed compared with 75.15% in the final evaluation.Conclusions:The proposed model allows the participants to acquire general knowledge about the CDE Test. To improve the general results in future training courses, it is required to reinforce during training the scoring and interpretation of the test together with the previous lecture of the material by the participants.

Diseño de un modelo de supervisión para la aplicación de la prueba de Evaluación del Desarrollo Infantil en las unidades de atención primaria en México / Design of a supervision model for administration of the Child Development Evaluation Test at primary care facilities in Mexico

ResumenIntroducción:La prueba Evaluación del Desarrollo Infantil (EDI), diseñada y validada en México, se ha aplicado en las unidades de atención primaria del país. Los resultados han sido heterogéneos entre los estados en que se aplicaron las pruebas, a pesar de haber utilizado un modelo de capacitación estandarizado con la misma metodología para la aplicación. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar un modelo de supervisión que permita identificar la calidad de la aplicación de la prueba EDI a nivel poblacional.Métodos: Se realizó un estudio en la atención primaria tres estados del país para evaluar la aplicación de la prueba EDI por observación directa (estudio de sombra), y verificar la concordancia del resultado a través aplicar la prueba una vez más (estudio de consistencia).Resultados: Se realizaron 380 estudios de sombra a 51 psicólogos. Al comparar el resultado global, se observó una concordancia del 86.1% con el supervisor (n = 327): el 94.5% por resultado verde, el 73.2% por amarillo y el 80.0% por rojo. Se aplicó la prueba nuevamente en 302 casos, con una concordancia del 88.1% (n = 266): el 96.8% por resultado verde, el 71.7% por amarillo y el 81.8% por rojo. No se encontraron diferencias significativas por grupo.Conclusiones: Tanto el estudio de sombra como el de consistencia fueron adecuados para evaluar la calidad de la aplicación de la prueba, y pueden ser de utilidad para supervisar la aplicación de la prueba EDI en atención primaria. La decisión de uno u otro sistema depende de la disponibilidad de supervisores.

AbstractBackground:The Child Development Evaluation (CDE) test designed and validated in Mexico has been used as a screening tool for developmental problems in primary care facilities across Mexico. Heterogeneous results were found among those states where these were applied, despite using the same standardized training model for application. The objective was to evaluate a supervision model for quality of application of the CDE test at primary care facilities.Methods:A study was carried out in primary care facilities from three Mexican states to evaluate concordance of the results between supervisor and primary care personnel who administered the test using two different methods: direct observation (shadow study) or reapplication of the CDE test (consistency study).Results: There were 380 shadow studies applied to 51 psychologists. General concordance of the shadow study was 86.1% according to the supervisor: green 94.5%, yellow 73.2% and red 80.0%. There were 302 re-test evaluations with a concordance of 88.1% (n = 266): green 96.8%, yellow 71.7% and red 81.8%. There were no differences between CDE test subgroups by age.Conclusions: Both shadow and re-test study were adequate for the evaluation of the quality of the administration of the CDE Test and may be useful as a model of supervision in primary care facilities. The decision of which test to use relies on the availability of supervisors.

Evaluación diagnóstica del nivel de desarrollo en niños identificados con riesgo de retraso mediante la prueba de Evaluación del Desarrollo Infantil / Diagnostic evaluation of the developmental level in children identified at risk of delay through the Child Development Evaluation Test

ResumenIntroducción: La prueba Evaluación del Desarrollo Infantil (EDI), diseñada en México, clasifica a los niños de acuerdo con su desarrollo en desarrollo normal, rezago en el desarrollo y riesgo de retraso. La versión modificada se desarrolló y validó, pero no se conocen sus propiedades en base poblacional. El objetivo de este trabajo fue establecer la confirmación diagnóstica en niños de 16 a 59 meses identificados con riesgo de retraso por la prueba EDI.Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal de base poblacional en una entidad federativa de México. Se aplicó la prueba EDI a 11,455 niños de 16 a 59 meses, de diciembre de 2013 a marzo de 2014. Se consideró como población elegible al 6.2% (n = 714) que obtuvo como resultado riesgo de retraso. Para la inclusión en el estudio se realizó una aleatorización estratificada por bloques para sexo y grupo de edad. A cada participante se le realizó la evaluación diagnóstica utilizando el Inventario de Desarrollo de Battelle 2ª. edición.Resultados: De los 355 participantes incluidos, el 65.9% fue de sexo masculino y el 80.2% de medio rural. El 6.5% fueron falsos positivos (cociente total de desarrollo ¿ 90) y el 6.8% no tuvo ningún dominio con retraso (cociente de desarrollo de dominio < 80). Se calculó la proporción de retraso en las siguientes áreas: comunicación (82.5%), cognitivo (80.8%), personal-social (33.8%), motor (55.5%) y adaptativo (41.7%). Se observaron diferencias en los porcentajes de retraso por edad y dominio/subdominio evaluado.Conclusiones: Se corroboró la presencia de retraso en al menos un dominio evaluado por la prueba diagnóstica en el 93.2% de la población estudiada.

AbstractBackground: The Child Development Evaluation (or CDE Test) was developed in Mexico as a screening tool for child developmental problems. It yields three possible results: normal, slow development or risk of delay. The modified version was elaborated using the information obtained during the validation study but its properties according to the base population are not known. The objective of this work was to establish diagnostic confirmation of developmental delay in children 16- to 59-months of age previously identified as having risk of delay through the CDE Test in primary care facilities.Methods:A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in one Mexican state. CDE test was administered to 11,455 children 16- to 59-months of age from December/2013 to March/2014. The eligible population represented the 6.2% of the children (n = 714) who were identified at risk of delay through the CDE Test. For inclusion in the study, a block randomization stratified by sex and age group was performed. Each participant included in the study had a diagnostic evaluation using the Battelle Development Inventory, 2nd edition.Results: From the 355 participants included with risk of delay, 65.9% were male and 80.2% were from rural areas; 6.5% were false positives (Total Development Quotient ¿90) and 6.8% did not have any domain with delay (Domain Developmental Quotient <80). The proportion of delay for each domain was as follows: communication 82.5%; cognitive 80.8%; social-personal 33.8%; motor 55.5%; and adaptive 41.7%. There were significant differences in the percentages of delay both by age and by domain/subdomain evaluated.Conclusions: In 93.2% of the participants, developmental delay was corroborated in at least one domain evaluated.

Escrutinio poblacional del nivel de desarrollo infantil en menores de 5 años beneficiarios de PROSPERA en México / Population-based study of child developmental screening in Mexican PROSPERA beneficiaries younger than 5 years old

ResumenIntroducción:La prueba de Evaluación del Desarrollo Infantil (EDI), diseñada y validada en México, clasifica a los niños de acuerdo con su desarrollo en desarrollo normal (verde) y desarrollo anormal (amarillo o rojo). No se conocen los resultados de su aplicación en base poblacional. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el nivel de desarrollo de niños menores de 5 años en situación de pobreza (beneficiarios del Programa PROSPERA) utilizando la prueba EDI.Método:La prueba EDI fue aplicada por personal capacitado y con los estándares para la aplicación de la prueba en menores de 5 años que acudieron al control del niño sano en unidades de atención primaria de noviembre de 2013 a mayo de 2014 en un estado del norte de México.Resultados: Se aplicó la prueba EDI a 5,527 niños de 1-59 meses de edad. El 83.8% (n = 4,632) se encontró con desarrollo normal y el 16.2%, con desarrollo anormal: amarillo con el 11.9% (n = 655) y rojo con el 4.3% (n = 240). La proporción con resultado anormal fue del 9.9% en < 1 año y del 20.8% a los 4 años. Por edad, las áreas más afectadas fueron el lenguaje a los 2 años (9.35%) y el conocimiento a los 4 años (11.1%). Las áreas motor grueso y social tuvieron mayor afección en el área rural. En el sexo masculino, las áreas de motor fino, lenguaje y conocimiento.Conclusiones: La proporción de niños con resultado anormal es similar a lo reportado en otros estudios de base poblacional. La mayor proporción de afección a mayores edades refuerza la importancia de la intervención temprana. La diferencia en las áreas afectadas entre el medio urbano y rural sugiere la necesidad de una intervención diferenciada.

AbstractBackground:Evaluación del Desarrollo Infantil or Child Development Evaluation (CDE) test, a screening tool designed and validated in Mexico, classifies child development as normal (green) or abnormal (developmental lag or yellow and risk of delay or red). Population-based results of child development level with this tool are not known. The objective of this work was to evaluate the developmental level of children aged 1-59 months living in poverty (PROSPERA program beneficiaries) through application of the CDE test.Methods: CDE tests were applied by specifically trained and standardized personnel to children <5 years old who attended primary care facilities for a scheduled appointment for nutrition, growth and development evaluation from November 2013 to May 2014.Results: There were 5,527 children aged 1-59 months who were evaluated; 83.8% (n = 4,632) were classified with normal development (green) and 16.2% (n = 895) as abnormal: 11.9% (n = 655) as yellow and 4.3% (n = 240) as red. The proportion of abnormal results was 9.9% in children <1 year of age compared with 20.8% at 4 years old. The most affected areas according to age were language at 2 years (9.35%) and knowledge at 4 years old (11.1%). Gross motor and social areas were more affected in children from rural areas; fine motor skills, language and knowledge were more affected in males.Conclusions: The proportion of children with abnormal results is similar to other population-based studies. The highest rate in older children reinforces the need for an early-based intervention. The different pattern of areas affected between urban and rural areas suggests the need for a differentiated intervention.

Pasos para transformar una necesidad en una herramienta válida y útil para la detección oportuna de problemas en el desarrollo infantil en México / Steps to transform a necessity into a validated and useful screening tool for early detection of developmental problems in Mexican children

ResumenUna prueba de tamiz es una herramienta cuya función es identificar individuos presuntamente enfermos en una población aparentemente sana al establecer el riesgo o sospecha de un problema de desarrollo. Debe tenerse precaución y ser muy cuidadoso al utilizar un instrumento de este tipo, por el riesgo de efectuar mediciones que no coincidan con la realidad y retrasar una intervención a quien lo requiere.Antes de incorporar una prueba de este tipo como parte de la práctica clínica rutinaria, es necesario certificar que posee ciertas características que hacen meritoria su utilización. A este proceso de certificación se le denomina validación. El objetivo de este artículo fue describir los diferentes pasos que se llevaron a cabo desde la identificación de una necesidad de detección hasta la generación de una prueba de tamiz validada y confiable, utilizando como ejemplo el proceso del desarrollo de la versión modificada de la prueba Evaluación del Desarrollo Infantil (EDI) en México.

AbstractA screening test is an instrument whose primary function is to identify individuals with a probable disease among an apparently healthy population, establishing risk or suspicion of a disease. Caution must be taken when using a screening tool in order to avoid unrealistic measurements, delaying an intervention for those who may benefit from it.Before introducing a screening test into clinical practice, it is necessary to certify the presence of some characteristics making its worth useful. This "certification" process is called validation. The main objective of this paper is to describe the different steps that must be taken, from the identification of a need for early detection through the generation of a validated and reliable screening tool using, as an example, the process for the modified version of the Child Development Evaluation Test (CDE or Prueba EDI) in Mexico.

[Impact of a training model for the Child Development Evaluation Test in primary care]. / Impacto de un modelo de capacitación de la prueba Evaluación del Desarrollo Infantil en la atención primaria.

BACKGROUND: The Child Development Evaluation (CDE) Test is a screening tool designed and validated in Mexico for the early detection of child developmental problems. For professionals who will be administering the test in primary care facilities, previous acquisition of knowledge about the test is required in order to generate reliable results. The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of a training model for primary care workers from different professions through the comparison of knowledge acquired during the training course. METHODS: The study design was a before/after type considering the participation in a training course for the CDE test as the intervention. The course took place in six different Mexican states from October to December 2013. The same questions were used before and after. RESULTS: There were 394 participants included. Distribution according to professional profile was as follows: general physicians 73.4%, nursing 7.7%, psychology 7.1%, nutrition 6.1% and other professions 5.6%. The questions with the lowest correct answer rates were associated with the scoring of the CDE test. In the initial evaluation, 64.9% obtained a grade lower than 20 compared with 1.8% in the final evaluation. In the initial evaluation only 1.8% passed compared with 75.15% in the final evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed model allows the participants to acquire general knowledge about the CDE Test. To improve the general results in future training courses, it is required to reinforce during training the scoring and interpretation of the test together with the previous lecture of the material by the participants.

[Design of a supervision model for administration of the Child Development Evaluation Test at primary care facilities in Mexico]. / Diseño de un modelo de supervisión para la aplicación de la prueba de Evaluación del Desarrollo Infantil en las unidades de atención primaria en México.

BACKGROUND: The Child Development Evaluation (CDE) test designed and validated in Mexico has been used as a screening tool for developmental problems in primary care facilities across Mexico. Heterogeneous results were found among those states where these were applied, despite using the same standardized training model for application. The objective was to evaluate a supervision model for quality of application of the CDE test at primary care facilities. METHODS: A study was carried out in primary care facilities from three Mexican states to evaluate concordance of the results between supervisor and primary care personnel who administered the test using two different methods: direct observation (shadow study) or reapplication of the CDE test (consistency study). RESULTS: There were 380 shadow studies applied to 51 psychologists. General concordance of the shadow study was 86.1% according to the supervisor: green 94.5%, yellow 73.2% and red 80.0%. There were 302 re-test evaluations with a concordance of 88.1% (n=266): green 96.8%, yellow 71.7% and red 81.8%. There were no differences between CDE test subgroups by age. CONCLUSIONS: Both shadow and re-test study were adequate for the evaluation of the quality of the administration of the CDE Test and may be useful as a model of supervision in primary care facilities. The decision of which test to use relies on the availability of supervisors.

[Steps to transform a necessity into a validated and useful screening tool for early detection of developmental problems in Mexican children]. / Pasos para transformar una necesidad en una herramienta válida y útil para la detección oportuna de problemas en el desarrollo infantil en México.

A screening test is an instrument whose primary function is to identify individuals with a probable disease among an apparently healthy population, establishing risk or suspicion of a disease. Caution must be taken when using a screening tool in order to avoid unrealistic measurements, delaying an intervention for those who may benefit from it. Before introducing a screening test into clinical practice, it is necessary to certify the presence of some characteristics making its worth useful. This "certification" process is called validation. The main objective of this paper is to describe the different steps that must be taken, from the identification of a need for early detection through the generation of a validated and reliable screening tool using, as an example, the process for the modified version of the Child Development Evaluation Test (CDE or Prueba EDI) in Mexico.

[Diagnostic evaluation of the developmental level in children identified at risk of delay through the Child Development Evaluation Test]. / Evaluación diagnóstica del nivel de desarrollo en niños identificados con riesgo de retraso mediante la prueba de Evaluación del Desarrollo Infantil.

BACKGROUND: The Child Development Evaluation (or CDE Test) was developed in Mexico as a screening tool for child developmental problems. It yields three possible results: normal, slow development or risk of delay. The modified version was elaborated using the information obtained during the validation study but its properties according to the base population are not known. The objective of this work was to establish diagnostic confirmation of developmental delay in children 16- to 59-months of age previously identified as having risk of delay through the CDE Test in primary care facilities. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in one Mexican state. CDE test was administered to 11,455 children 16- to 59-months of age from December/2013 to March/2014. The eligible population represented the 6.2% of the children (n=714) who were identified at risk of delay through the CDE Test. For inclusion in the study, a block randomization stratified by sex and age group was performed. Each participant included in the study had a diagnostic evaluation using the Battelle Development Inventory, 2nd edition. RESULTS: From the 355 participants included with risk of delay, 65.9% were male and 80.2% were from rural areas; 6.5% were false positives (Total Development Quotient ˃90) and 6.8% did not have any domain with delay (Domain Developmental Quotient <80). The proportion of delay for each domain was as follows: communication 82.5%; cognitive 80.8%; social-personal 33.8%; motor 55.5%; and adaptive 41.7%. There were significant differences in the percentages of delay both by age and by domain/subdomain evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: In 93.2% of the participants, developmental delay was corroborated in at least one domain evaluated.

[Population-based study of child developmental screening in Mexican PROSPERA beneficiaries younger than 5 years old]. / Escrutinio poblacional del nivel de desarrollo infantil en menores de 5 años beneficiarios de PROSPERA en México.

BACKGROUND: Evaluación del Desarrollo Infantil or Child Development Evaluation (CDE) test, a screening tool designed and validated in Mexico, classifies child development as normal (green) or abnormal (developmental lag or yellow and risk of delay or red). Population-based results of child development level with this tool are not known. The objective of this work was to evaluate the developmental level of children aged 1-59 months living in poverty (PROSPERA program beneficiaries) through application of the CDE test. METHODS: CDE tests were applied by specifically trained and standardized personnel to children <5 years old who attended primary care facilities for a scheduled appointment for nutrition, growth and development evaluation from November 2013 to May 2014. RESULTS: There were 5,527 children aged 1-59 months who were evaluated; 83.8% (n=4,632) were classified with normal development (green) and 16.2% (n=895) as abnormal: 11.9% (n=655) as yellow and 4.3% (n=240) as red. The proportion of abnormal results was 9.9% in children <1 year of age compared with 20.8% at 4 years old. The most affected areas according to age were language at 2 years (9.35%) and knowledge at 4 years old (11.1%). Gross motor and social areas were more affected in children from rural areas; fine motor skills, language and knowledge were more affected in males. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of children with abnormal results is similar to other population-based studies. The highest rate in older children reinforces the need for an early-based intervention. The different pattern of areas affected between urban and rural areas suggests the need for a differentiated intervention.