Urbanization, megalopolization and mortality from birth defects in children under five years of age in Mexico

作者：Valdes Hernandez Javier; Canun Serrano Sonia; Reyes Pablo Aldelmo E; Navarrete Hernandez Eduardo

来源：Gaceta Medica de Mexico, 2011, 147(3): 209-218.

• Urban Health
• Congenital defects
• Birth defects
• Small-area analysis
• Priorities health

Objectives: To identify the spatial-geographical relationship between local priority birth defect (BD) mortality in children under five years of age with demographic and economic variables representing megalopolization: urban localities, municipalities with larger populations and population density, and units and total gross output of agriculture, manufacturing and transportation. Material and methods: Thematic maps were produced in the form of polygons and point to their juxtaposition and analysis of spatial correspondence. Results: Priority municipality concentrations: 98.6% of the localities of 50,000 to 99,999, 100% of the cities of 100,000 inhabitants or more; 84.3% of the total population; the activity and productivity of agricultural (62.7 and 82.2%), manufacturing (83.4 and 96.9%) and of transport (92.2 and 96.8%). Conclusions: Priority municipalities concur with those where the processes of urbanization and megalopolization have a more intense effect. There is scientific evidence in the medical literature on the relationship between megalopolization, pollution, and BD. It is proposed that more should be found out about this relationship in Mexico.