Background: In Mexico, prevalence of anemia in children <5 years of age (preschool) is high at all socioeconomic levels. We undertook this study to analyze the socioeconomic determinants of the prevalence of anemia in preschool children and to explore the reasons why the prevalence is high, even in wealthier households. Methods: We used the National Survey of Health and Nutrition (ENSANUT) 2012 and calculated logistic regression models, considering as explanatory variables socioeconomic characteristics of children and mothers, among others. Models were estimated for all preschoolers and for each tercil of socioeconomic status. Results: The national prevalence of anemia in preschool children is 23.3%; in the lowest tertile it is 26.4%, whereas in the highest tertile it is 20.2%. Variables related to increased risk of anemia in the highest tertile are male children (OR: 1.24), those <2 years of age (OR: 2.31), stunting (OR: 2.01), and mother as the head of the household (OR: 2.06). Conclusions: Although anemia prevalence is higher at poorer socioeconomic levels, it remains high at all socioeconomic levels. Therefore, a general strategy is required to reduce the rate of childhood anemia rather than only the targeted efforts followed so far. Further research is needed.

Introduction. Of all types of cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) constitutes the most common type of cancer during the pediatric age. Lymphomas occupy third place. Treatment costs of ALL and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) in children are high. The aim of the study was to calculate total unit costs of drugs in cancer children with ALL and HL using the current protocols in the Hospital Infantil de Mexico Federico Gomez (HIMFG). The costs were estimated by risk stratification for ALL patients and according to tumor stage for HL. Methods. Calculations were performed using a specific methodology and using the complete protocols of ALL and HL in the different strata for a child weighing 20 kg with a height of 115 cm and 30 kg with a height of 135 cm. Results. The total unit cost in standard-risk ALL was 71,655.00 MXN (~$5,430 USD at the time of publication) in the patient weighing 20 kg and 95,825.90 MXN (~$7,250 USD) for the patient weighing 30 kg. In HL, the cost of stage IB-IIB was 39,342.16 MXN (~$3,000 USD) in the child weighing 20 kg and 52,620.14 MXN (~$4,000 USD) in the child weighing 30 kg. Costs for treating patient in stages III-IV corresponded to 41,469.46 MXN (~$3,150 USD) and 55,465.39 MXN (~$4,200.00), respectively. Conclusions. There were both differences and advantages in the HIMFG protocol for ALL. Comparing costs with costs in other countries showed similar results when only the unit costs were evaluated.

Introducción. De todos los tipos de cáncer, la leucemia linfoblástica aguda (LLA) constituye el tipo de cáncer más común en la edad pediátrica; los linfomas ocupan el tercer lugar. El costo de los tratamientos de LLA y de linfomas de Hodgkin (LH) en niños es elevado. El objetivo de este trabajo fue calcular los costos estimados de los protocolos que utiliza el Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez (HIMFG) y los costos unitarios totales de los medicamentos para LLA en todas sus etapas y tipos de riesgo y para LH en sus diferentes estadificaciones. Métodos. Los cálculos se realizaron con una metodología específica utilizando los protocolos in extenso para LLA y LH, en las diferentes etapas y estadios, para un niño con peso de 20 kg y talla de 115 cm y otro con peso de 30 kg y talla de 135 cm en el HIMFG. Resultados. El costo total unitario en LLA de riesgo estándar fue de 71,655.00 MXN (~$5,430 USD) para el niño de 20 kg y de 95,825.90 MXN (~$7,260 USD) para el de 30 kg. En LH el costo del estadio IB-IIB fue de 39,342.16 MXN (~$3,000 USD) para el niño de 20 kg y de 52,620.14 MXN (~$4,000 USD) para el de 30 kg, y en el estadio III-IV correspondió a 41,469.46 MXN (~$3,150 USD) y 55,465.39 MXN (~$4,200.00), respectivamente. Conclusiones. Hubieron diferencias y ventajas del protocolo del HIMFG en LLA con respecto a otro protocolo. La comparación de los costos con otros países mostró resultados parecidos cuando solamente se evaluaron los costos unitarios.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze household health expenditures on children who are beneficiaries of the Medical Insurance for a New Generation (SMNG), program created in 2007 to cover healthcare costs of children without social security born after December 1st, 2006. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the SMNG National Survey, out-the-pocket and catastrophic spending on child health were calculated using several definitions. Results are presented by socioeconomic level, rural and urban areas and for Oportunidades beneficiaries. RESULTS: About 63.3% of households spent an average annual amount of 3320 Mexican pesos (MEX$) on healthcare for beneficiary children. Between 4.3 and 11.6% of households experienced catastrophic spending, depending on the definition adopted. Due to economic trouble, 15.5% of households postponed and 10.0% cancelled medical care for their child. CONCLUSIONS: Even though children are affiliated to the SMNG, the economic burden associated with attending their health is still an issue for families.

OBJETIVO: Analizar el gasto en salud y gasto catastrófico en los niños beneficiarios del Seguro Médico para una Nueva Generación (SMNG), programa creado en 2007 para niños sin seguridad social nacidos a partir del 1o de diciembre de 2006. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Con información de la Encuesta Nacional del SMNG se calculó el gasto en salud y el gasto catastrófico de los hogares de acuerdo a varias definiciones. Los resultados se presentan por nivel socioeconómico, para zonas urbanas y rurales y por pertenencia al programa Oportunidades. RESULTADOS: El 63.3% de los hogares gastaron en la salud de los niños un promedio anual de 3320 pesos. Entre el 4.3 y el 11.6% de los hogares incurrieron en gasto catastrófico, dependiendo de la definición. Debido a problemas económicos, 15.5% pospuso y 10% no realizó la atención médica del niño. CONCLUSIONES: Aún cuando los hogares están afiliados al SMNG, todavía enfrentan restricciones económicas para atender los problemas de salud del niño.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze household health expenditures on children who are beneficiaries of the Medical Insurance for a New Generation (SMNG), program created in 2007 to cover healthcare costs of children without social security born after December 1st, 2006. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the SMNG National Survey, out-the-pocket and catastrophic spending on child health were calculated using several definitions. Results are presented by socioeconomic level, rural and urban areas and for Oportunidades beneficiaries. RESULTS: About 63.3% of households spent an average annual amount of 3320 Mexican pesos (MEX$) on healthcare for beneficiary children. Between 4.3 and 11.6% of households experienced catastrophic spending, depending on the definition adopted. Due to economic trouble, 15.5% of households postponed and 10.0% cancelled medical care for their child. CONCLUSIONS: Even though children are affiliated to the SMNG, the economic burden associated with attending their health is still an issue for families.

OBJETIVO: Analizar el gasto en salud y gasto catastrófico en los niños beneficiarios del Seguro Médico para una Nueva Generación (SMNG), programa creado en 2007 para niños sin seguridad social nacidos a partir del 1o de diciembre de 2006. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Con información de la Encuesta Nacional del SMNG se calculó el gasto en salud y el gasto catastrófico de los hogares de acuerdo a varias definiciones. Los resultados se presentan por nivel socioeconómico, para zonas urbanas y rurales y por pertenencia al programa Oportunidades. RESULTADOS: El 63.3% de los hogares gastaron en la salud de los niños un promedio anual de 3320 pesos. Entre el 4.3 y el 11.6% de los hogares incurrieron en gasto catastrófico, dependiendo de la definición. Debido a problemas económicos, 15.5% pospuso y 10% no realizó la atención médica del niño. CONCLUSIONES: Aún cuando los hogares están afiliados al SMNG, todavía enfrentan restricciones económicas para atender los problemas de salud del niño.