Overview of current revision of ‘Maternal and Child Health Handbook (MCH Handbook)’ in Japan

Abstract

The Maternal and Child Health Handbook (MCH Handbook) in Japan contains a wide range of material related to pregnancy and childcare and has been revised every 10 years. At the review meetings on the MCH Handbook in 2022, 5 points were mainly discussed: (1) mental health care for women during pregnancy and postpartum, (2) care for family members other than mothers, (3) appropriate contents considering diversity, (4) methods of recording children’s growth and development, and (5) combined use of the electronic MCH Handbook.