CANTORE, Alfonsina. Diseases of mbyá-guaraní children: Treatments in a network of relationships. []. , 29, pp.53-65. ISSN 2318-9282.

ABSTRACT Among the mbyá-guaraní, a healthy child is expected to display a series of physical, social and emotional characteristics. From this some criteria emerge to define if a child is healthy. We argue that these categories are related to constant dialogues with the public health system. At the same time, when a disease or a health problem manifest in babies and children, the search for solutions is diverse. In this interaction, the observation criteria are not the same for mothers and fathers as those for doctors, and they may even disagree about them. In parallel, consultations and treatments depend on the resources available. But before any episode, women are the ones who spend the most time in consultations and care in the public health system. Finally, we observe that childhood is the stage of life in which the family puts the most effort. We sustain this debate based on theoretical discussions and field records collected in mbyá-guaraní communities in Puerto Iguazú (Misiones, Argentina).

: childhood; indigenous; health; care.

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