Child health screening program in French nursery schools: Results and related socioeconomic factors

The study aims to describe the output of routine health screening performed in French nursery schools by the maternal and child health services among children aged 3-4 years and to quantify the level of early socioeconomic health disparities.

In 30 participating départements, data on screening for vision and hearing impairments, overweight and thinness, dental health, language, psychomotor development, and immunizations were collected for children born on specific dates in 2011 and enrolled in nursery school in 2014-2016. Information was collected on the children, their socioeconomic characteristics and on the school attended. Odds of abnormal screening results were compared for each socioeconomic factor by logistic regressions adjusted for age, sex, prematurity and bilingualism.

Among the 9,939 children screened, prevalence of disorders was 12.3% for vision, 10.9% for hearing, 10.4% for overweight, 7.3% for untreated caries, 14.2% for language and 6.6% for psychomotricity. Newly detected visual disorders were more frequent in disadvantaged areas. Children with unemployed parents were three time more likely to have untreated caries and twice as likely to present language or psychomotor impairments; 52% were referred to a health professional following screening compared to 39% of children with employed parents. Except for children in disadvantaged areas, vaccine coverage was lower among disadvantaged groups.

The prevalences of impairments, which are higher among disadvantaged children, highlight the potential preventive impact of systematic screening under the comprehensive maternal and child healthcare program. These results are important to quantify early socioeconomic inequalities in a Western country known for its generous social welfare system. A more holistic approach to child health is needed with a coherent system involving families and aligning primary care, local child health professionals, general practitioners, and specialists. Further results are needed to evaluate its impact on later child development and health.