[Evaluation of the health status of 2- and 4-year-old children from 3 selected regions according to balanced medical examinations]

Abstract

The state of health and of general development of two and four-year-old children are presented on the bases of balance medical examinations performed in 3 centres (Integrated Health Care Centres). The methods and goals of those medical examinations are exposed. The examined population consisted of 1379 two- year-old and 1200-four-year-old children. About 26% of examined two-year-old urban children and 16% of rural ones have been qualified to active care groups. In the examined population of four-year-old children the respective values were 28% and 17%. Among 2-year-old children qualified for specialist's care, 85% have not been under such care before the balance-medical examination. In the 4-year-old group this situation was found in 70% of children. The most frequently observed deviations form the normal concerned: body build and posture, visual disorders, faulty mastication, insufficient body weight and/or height, dental caries and behaviour problems. Some differences in the health status were also found between the 3 centres. Environmental conditions such as sanitary facilities of the dwellings, overcrowding, utilities and home equipment were also analysed, and marked differences were observed between urban and rural areas. Further studies will be conducted in five more centres.