[Child wellbeing and development indicators in Mexico]. / Indicadores de bienestar y desarrollo infantil en México.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To provide evidence and input for monitoring child welfare and wellbeing in Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adjusting for sampling design, information from ENSANUT 2012 for children <10 years was compared with national and international parameters and goals. RESULTS: While 8.37% of infants were born with low birth weight (<2,500 g), neonatal screening was not performed on 9.4% of newborns. Of children <5 years, 78.03% were breastfed until at least four months. Among mothers of newborns, 69.5% received training in early stimulation. At the national level, 28% of children (23% in rural areas) received five medical consultations to monitor their early development. 29% of children either had a disability or were at risk of developing one. CONCLUSIONS: Progress has been made in Mexico in terms of services promoting early child development and wellbeing but important challenges persist. National standards and a system for monitoring, screening, referring and providing care for child development and wellbeing are necessary.