OBJECTIVE: Evaluate pregnancy, birth and neonatal data filling of the Child's Health Record (CHR) and study mother's perception about the function of this tool in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of 797 CHR of infants born between April and December 2005 and delivered to their mothers soon after birth. A written protocol was used to assess the first pages of the CHR and mothers were asked two questions. Each CHR item was classified as correctly, incorrectly or not filled in. RESULTS: The name of the child was not in the CHR in 44%. The first prenatal visit and the number of prenatal visits were absent in respectively 40 and 31% of the records. The type of birth was not recorded in 15% of the CHR, as well as the gestational age in 24% and the Apgar score at five minutes in 23%. The newborns weight, length and head circumference were not informed in 9, 10 and 15%, respectively. The slot with the orientation to take the newborn to the first pediatric visit on the 5th day of life was blank in 75%. Only 32% of the mothers received information about the CHR at the maternity ward. To 313 mothers, the CHR was important to record follow-up of growth and/or development of their child. CONCLUSIONS: An important lack of information was noted in the CHR. Efforts should be directed to improve the quality of information in order to enhance children's health promotion.
maternal and child health; medical records; primary health care; health promotion; infant, newborn
