Social inequalities in maternal opinion of child development in southern Brazil
Drachler, Maria de Lourdes; Aerts, Denise Ganso de Castro; Souza, Rosana Mendonça de; Leite, José Carlos de Carvalho; Giugliani, Elsa Regina Justo; Marshall, Tom
Abstract:
Aims and methods: Concurrent validity of maternal opinion of child development was estimated in a cross-sectional, population-based survey of 6–59-mo children (n=3025), using a standard measure devised from the Denver Developmental Screening Test. Results: Sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value increased with maternal education and family income. Positive predictive value was higher in low-income families and children with impairments, low birthweight and long hospital stays. Conclusion: Children at social and clinical risk should be assessed more carefully, even if maternal report is normal or advanced.