Effects of the First Childhood Program on prenatal and neonatal indicators

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/1980-5330/ea207779

Keywords:

Primeira Infância Melhor, difference in differences, prenatal indicators, neonatal indicators

Abstract

This paper examines the effects of the First Childhood Program (PIM) in Rio Grande do Sul on prenatal and neonatal indicators. Employing the Callaway and Sant’Anna (2021) Difference-in-Differences strategy, which mitigates biases in voluntary participation programs, we find substantial and positive impacts. PIM-participating municipalities exhibit reductions of 0.49%, 0.17%, and 0.46% in births with low vitality index, extremely low birth weight, and low birth weight, respectively. Moreover, PIM participation elevates by 7.6 to 10% the proportion of women undergoing more than 6 prenatal consultations.

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Author Biographies

  • Pedro Henrique Alves Feitoza Pires, Federal University of Pelotas

    Universidade Federal de Pelotas. E-mail: pedroh_pires@hotmail.com

    https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0294-3104

  • Lívia Madeira Triaca, Federal University of Rio Grande

    Universidade Federal do Rio Grande. E-mail: liviamtriaca@gmail.com

    https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7192-6554

  • Carolina Silva da Trindade, Federal University of Pelotas

    Universidade Federal de Pelotas. E-mail: carolina.silva.trindade@hotmail.com

    https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8240-3588

  • Felipe Garcia Ribeiro, Federal University of Pelotas

    Universidade Federal de Pelotas. E-mail: felipe.garcia.rs@gmail.com

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Published

2025-06-01

Issue

Vol. 29 No. 2 (2025)

Section

Papers

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Copyright (c) 2025 Economia Aplicada

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How to Cite

Pires, P. H. A. F., Triaca, L. M., Trindade, C. S. da, & Ribeiro, F. G. (2025). Effects of the First Childhood Program on prenatal and neonatal indicators. Economia Aplicada, 29(2), 217-243. https://doi.org/10.11606/1980-5330/ea207779