A Mexican immigrant mother asks about mal de ojo. To what folk illness is she referring?

• A. Evil eye
• B. Fallen fontanel
• C. Soul loss
• D. Indigestion

Answer: (A)

The belief described is the Evil Eye. Mal de ojo is a Latin American cultural concept in which a person’s envious or admiring gaze is thought to cause illness or distress in a child. When a Mexican immigrant mother asks about it, she’s seeking understanding and reassurance for symptoms she associates with this belief, such as sudden crying, fever, or fussiness after someone looked at the child. In caring for her, acknowledge the cultural viewpoint with respect, assess the child for any medically treatable conditions, and provide guidance that blends culturally sensitive explanations with appropriate medical care. If red flags or persistent symptoms appear, follow standard clinical evaluation. Other terms listed refer to different ideas: a sunken fontanel suggests dehydration, soul loss is another cultural explanation for distress, and indigestion is a biomedical digestive complaint rather than a folk illness.