[Socioeconomic status and child health: the experience of the Paris Child Health Checkup Center].

Data on disadvantaged children's health are rare in France. The objectives of this study were to compare the frequency of various health problems according to socioeconomic status and to determine if socially vulnerable children benefit from health checkups more than others.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 5,733 children who underwent a health checkup in Paris between September and December 1998. Three groups were defined according to family income estimation and status: socially vulnerable, at risk of vulnerability, and standard.

RESULTS

Health status of socially vulnerable children is characterized by a higher prevalence of significant overweight (1.2% versus 0.3% in children at risk of vulnerability and 0.4% in the standard group), iron deficiency (25.7% by age ten months versus 16.2% and 10.4%, respectively), and cavities (20.6% by age four years versus 15.6% and 6.4%, respectively). Ametropia are more frequent in children from socially vulnerable or at risk of vulnerability groups, but not often corrected. These children present more psychomotor disorders than the others. Following checkups, management of observed health problems is identical in the three groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevalence of studied troubles is higher in children living in low socioeconomic condition. Following checkups, these children have access to health care services in most cases. Long-term evaluation of the benefit of such health examinations should be performed.