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Maternal and child health at population level
Maternal and child health is measured by indicators especially sensitive to the quality of services and to social conditions – infant mortality, maternal mortality, low birth weight, breastfeeding and immunization rates – and in Israel the network of maternal and child health centres (Tipat Halav) is a key preventive service that follows mother and baby from pregnancy to nursery age.
Why it matters in the exam
Items on this topic test the indicators and their denominators, the difference between neonatal mortality (up to 28 days) and post-neonatal mortality (from 28 days to one year), and the causes of gaps in infant mortality between population groups in Israel – congenital anomalies, preterm births and consanguinity alongside socioeconomic factors. Practical items ask who provides Tipat Halav services today and what they include: growth and development surveillance, immunization, parent guidance, detection of postpartum depression with the EPDS questionnaire, and newborn screening tests. Feeding recommendations are also tested – exclusive breastfeeding for the first half year and continued breastfeeding with complementary food to age two and beyond – as are vitamin D supplements for infants, and folic acid before pregnancy and in the first trimester to prevent neural tube defects. Further items deal with preventing sudden infant death – placing the baby on the back, a firm mattress and avoiding smoking – and with newborn screening (the "heel prick test"), which detects metabolic and endocrine diseases that can be treated early. Remember that low birth weight is defined as below 2,500 grams and results from preterm birth or intrauterine growth restriction.
Key points
- Neonatal mortality is up to 28 days, and infant mortality up to one year.
- Low birth weight is defined as below 2,500 grams.
- Exclusive breastfeeding for the first half year and continued breastfeeding to age two and beyond.
- Tipat Halav includes developmental surveillance, immunization and detection of postpartum depression.
- Folic acid is started before pregnancy.
Summary table
| Indicator or service | Definition or content | Exam point |
|---|---|---|
| Neonatal and post-neonatal mortality | Up to 28 days; from 28 days to one year | Neonatal relates to prematurity and anomalies, post-neonatal to environment and infection |
| Low birth weight | Below 2,500 grams | Results from prematurity or growth restriction |
| Breastfeeding | Exclusive for the first half year, then continued with complementary food to age two and beyond | Reduces infection and mortality |
| Tipat Halav | Growth and development surveillance, immunization, guidance and detection of postpartum depression | A primary and secondary prevention service |
| Newborn screening | Heel prick for metabolic and endocrine diseases, and a hearing test | Early detection that allows treatment before damage |
| Folic acid | Before pregnancy and in the first trimester | Prevention of neural tube defects |
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Sources
- WHO, Infant and young child feeding – recommendations, 2023 — Exclusive breastfeeding and complementary feeding
- Israel Ministry of Health, Maternal and Child Health Centres (טיפת חלב), current — Services, developmental surveillance and immunization
- WHO, Recommendations on antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience, 2016 — Nutritional interventions; Maternal and fetal assessment
Sources are given for further reading; the text is written afresh and not copied from them.
Reviewed by the Examqo AI Professor · 2026-11-06. The text may contain errors; when in doubt, check the source.