Functional near-infrared spectroscopy and language development: An integrative review.

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) stands poised to revolutionize our understanding of auditory detection, speech perception, and language development in infants. In this study, we conducted a meticulous integrative review across Medline, Scopus, and LILACS databases, targeting investigations utilizing fNIRS to explore language-related features and cortical activation during auditory stimuli in typical infants. We included studies that used the NIRS technique to study language and cortical activation in response to auditory stimuli in typical infants between 0 and 3 years old. We used the ROBINS-I tool to assess the quality and the risk of bias in the studies. Our analysis, encompassing 66 manuscripts, is presented in standardized tables for streamlined data extraction. We meticulously correlated findings with children's developmental stages, delineating crucial insights into brain development and its intricate interplay with language outcomes. Although most studies have a high risk for overall bias, especially due to the high loss of data in NIRS studies, the low risk in the other domains is predominant and homogeneous among the studies. Highlighted are the unique advantages of fNIRS for pediatric studies, underscored by its innate suitability for use in children. This review accentuates fNIRS' capacity to elucidate the neural correlates of language processing and the sequential steps of language acquisition. From birth, infants exhibit abilities that lay the foundation for language development. The progression from diffuse to specific neural activation patterns is extremely influenced by exposure to languages, social interaction, and prosodic features and, reflects the maturation of brain networks involved in language processing. In conclusion, fNIRS emerges as an indispensable functional imaging modality, providing insights into the temporal dynamics of language acquisition and associated developmental milestones. This synthesis presents the pivotal role of fNIRS in advancing our comprehension of early language development and paves the way for future research endeavors in this domain.

Effects of SARS-CoV-2 gestational exposure and risk factors on neurodevelopment until 12 months: A prospective cohort study in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The effects of SARS-CoV-2 gestational exposure on child development remain inconclusive. AIMS: To analyze the effects of SARS-CoV-2 gestational exposure on neurodevelopment until 12 months. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study conducted in five municipalities in Southeast Brazil from August 2021 to September 2022. SUBJECTS: Infants were recruited from a serological survey performed during neonatal screening and followed up to 12 months old. We included 224 infants exposed to SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy and 225 non-exposed, according to the serology results of the newborn as well as their mothers and the maternal antenatal RT-PCR results. OUTCOME MEASURES: Developmental assessments were performed at 6 and 12 months using the Survey of Wellbeing of Young Children-Brazilian Version (SWYC-BR). Children with suspected developmental delay (SDD) at 6 and 12 months were considered at high risk for developmental delay (HRDD). Additionally, risk factors associated with SDD were examined. RESULTS: There were 111 children identified with SDD and 52 with HRDD. SARS-CoV-2 gestational exposure was not associated with SDD. Exposure in the first gestational trimester increased SDD risk by 2.15 times compared to the third. Cesarean delivery predicted SDD (OR 1.56; 95%CI 1.01-2.42) and HRDD (OR 1.91; 95%CI 1.04-3.48). Additionally, suspected maternal depression predicted SDD (OR 1.76; 95%CI 1.01-3.10). CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV-2 gestational exposure did not increase the developmental delay risk. However, our findings suggest that the earlier the gestational exposure, the greater the developmental delay risk at 12 months. Cesarean delivery and suspected maternal depression increased the developmental delay risk, independent of virus exposure.

Serological survey for IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 from newborns and their mothers.

This serological survey, conducted in five Brazilian municipalities, evaluated the use of dried blood spots (DBS), obtained from newborns and their mothers, to detect SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies. DBS were obtained from 4,803 neonates aged up to seven days and their mothers, both asymptomatic, at public health care clinics during newborn screening. DBS were processed by ELISA to detect IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antigen. Mothers of seropositive neonates were interviewed about sociodemographic characteristics and clinical and laboratory antecedents. Non-satisfactory samples, dyads with incomplete data, and vaccinated mothers were excluded. Of the 1,917 DBS dyads samples analyzed, 14.7% of neonates showed IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Among seropositive neonates, 73.2% of their mothers were also seropositive. More than half of the mothers with seropositive neonates denied clinical or laboratory suspicion of COVID-19 during pregnancy. Suspicion occurred in the third trimester for 24.6% of the mothers. This study tested an innovative strategy to improve the understanding of COVID-19 antibody dynamics during pregnancy and suggests the feasibility of a universal serological survey in puerperal women and neonates.

Hearing brain evaluated using near-infrared spectroscopy in congenital toxoplasmosis.

Congenital toxoplasmosis (CT) is a known cause of hearing loss directly caused by Toxoplasma gondii. Hearing loss might result from sensory, neural, or sensorineural lesions. Early treated infants rarely develop hearing loss, but retinochoroidal lesions, intracranial calcifications and hydrocephalus are common. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the brain evoked hemodynamic responses of CT and healthy infants during four auditory stimuli: mother infant directed speech, researcher infant directed speech, mother reading and researcher recorded. Children underwent Transitionally Evoked Otoacoustic Emission Auditory Testing and Automated Brainstem Auditory Response tests with normal auditory results, but with a tendency for greater latencies in the CT group compared to the control group. We assessed brain hemodynamics with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) measurements from 61 infants, and we present fNIRS results as frequency maps of activation and deactivation for each stimulus. By evaluating infants in the three first months of life, we observed an individual heterogeneous brain activation pattern in response to all auditory stimuli for both groups. Each channel was activated or deactivated in less than 30% of children for all stimuli. There is a need of prospective studies to evaluate if the neurologic or auditory changes course with compromise of children outcomes.

Spatial analysis of specialized care in the Network for People with Disability: the case of Minas Gerais, Brazil. / Análise espacial da atenção especializada na Rede de Cuidados à Pessoa com Deficiência: o caso de Minas Gerais.

PURPOSE: To map the Care Network for People with Disabilities in Minas Gerais, based on the identification of the points of care in the rehabilitation specialized care component, its modalities and distribution according to the population. METHOD: Cross-sectional descriptive study. We used geoprocessing techniques to describe the distribution of the specialized care devices of the Network Care, as surveyed in April 2014. The regions of the state described in the State Regionalization Master Plan were adopted as analysis units. We analyzed data from National and state legislations and data available in the management reports of the Minas Gerais State Health Department. The presence of points of care in the territory, the type of service offered and its relationship with the population density were selected as variables. We performed a descriptive spatial analysis of the distribution of the points care considering the selected georeferenced variables and the type of service as well as the modalities of disability. RESULTS: The Network Care is composed of 183 points of care with the higher concentration in the south of the state: 135 (73.8%) Specialized Services in Rehabilitation of Intellectual Disability, 18 (9.8%) Physical Rehabilitation Services, 15 (8.2%) Auditory Rehabilitation Services, 3 (1.6%) Visual Rehabilitation Services and 12 (6.6%) Specialized Rehabilitation Centers with two or more modalities. We observed greater concentration of services in the most populous regions. CONCLUSION: The Network Care presents great disproportion between rehabilitation modalities, with a greater number of services aimed at intellectual rehabilitation, and unequal distribution reflected in the care gap.

OBJETIVO: mapear a Rede de Cuidados à Pessoa com Deficiência em Minas Gerais, com base na identificação dos pontos de atenção do componente de atenção especializada em reabilitação, suas modalidades e distribuição segundo a população. MÉTODO: estudo observacional transversal descritivo. Foram utilizadas técnicas de geoprocessamento para descrição da distribuição dos dispositivos da atenção especializada da Rede de Cuidados, conforme levantamento em abril de 2014. Adotaram-se como unidades de análise as regiões do estado descritas no Plano Diretor de Regionalização do estado. Foram analisadas legislações nacional e estadual e dados disponíveis nos relatórios de gestão da Secretaria de Estado de Saúde de Minas Gerais. Como variáveis, foram selecionadas a presença de pontos de atenção no território, o tipo de serviço ofertado e sua relação com a densidade populacional. Foram realizados: análise descritiva da distribuição espacial dos pontos de atenção, considerando as variáveis selecionadas, e georreferenciamento destes pontos, considerando tipo de serviço e modalidades de deficiência. RESULTADOS: a Rede de Cuidados é composta por 183 pontos de atenção com maior concentração ao sul do estado: 135 (73,8%) Serviços Especializados em Reabilitação da Deficiência Intelectual, 18 (9,8%) Serviços de Reabilitação Física, 15 (8,2%) Serviços de Reabilitação Auditiva, 3 (1,6%) Serviços de Reabilitação Visual e 12 (6,6%) Centros Especializados em Reabilitação com duas ou mais modalidades. Observou-se maior concentração de serviços nas regiões mais populosas. CONCLUSÃO: a Rede de Cuidados à Pessoa com Deficiência possui grande desproporção entre as modalidades de reabilitação, com maior número de serviços voltados para reabilitação intelectual e distribuição não equânime, refletindo em vazios assistenciais.

Serological survey for IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 from newborns and their mothers / Inquérito sorológico para anticorpos IgG contra SARS-CoV-2 de recém-nascidos e suas mães / Encuesta serológica de anticuerpos IgG contra el SARS-CoV-2 de recién nacidos y sus madres

This serological survey, conducted in five Brazilian municipalities, evaluated the use of dried blood spots (DBS), obtained from newborns and their mothers, to detect SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies. DBS were obtained from 4,803 neonates aged up to seven days and their mothers, both asymptomatic, at public health care clinics during newborn screening. DBS were processed by ELISA to detect IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid antigen. Mothers of seropositive neonates were interviewed about sociodemographic characteristics and clinical and laboratory antecedents. Non-satisfactory samples, dyads with incomplete data, and vaccinated mothers were excluded. Of the 1,917 DBS dyads samples analyzed, 14.7% of neonates showed IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Among seropositive neonates, 73.2% of their mothers were also seropositive. More than half of the mothers with seropositive neonates denied clinical or laboratory suspicion of COVID-19 during pregnancy. Suspicion occurred in the third trimester for 24.6% of the mothers. This study tested an innovative strategy to improve the understanding of COVID-19 antibody dynamics during pregnancy and suggests the feasibility of a universal serological survey in puerperal women and neonates.

Este inquérito sorológico, realizado em cinco municípios brasileiros, avaliou o uso de sangue seco em papel filtro (DBS), obtidas de recém-nascidos e suas mães, para detectar anticorpos IgG SARS-CoV-2. DBS foram obtidas de 4.803 neonatos com até sete dias de vida e suas mães, ambos assintomáticos, em unidades de saúde pública durante a triagem neonatal. DBS foram processadas ​​por ELISA para detectar anticorpos IgG contra o antígeno do nucleocapsídeo SARS-CoV-2. As mães de neonatos soropositivos foram entrevistadas quanto às características sociodemográficas e antecedentes clínicos e laboratoriais. Foram excluídas amostras insatisfatórias, díades com dados incompletos e mães vacinadas. Das 1.917 amostras analisadas, 14,7% dos neonatos apresentaram anticorpos IgG contra SARS-CoV-2. Entre os recém-nascidos soropositivos, 73,2% era filho de mulheres também soropositivas. Mais da metade das mães com recém-nascidos soropositivos negaram suspeita clínica ou laboratorial de COVID-19 durante a gravidez. A suspeita de COVID-19 ocorreu no terceiro trimestre para 24,6% das mães. Este estudo testou uma estratégia inovadora para melhorar a compreensão da dinâmica de anticorpos contra SARS-CoV-2 durante a gravidez e sugere a viabilidade de realização de um inquérito sorológico universal em puérperas e neonatos.

Esta encuesta serológica, realizada en cinco municipios brasileños, evaluó el uso de manchas de sangre seca (DBS), obtenidas de recién nacidos y sus madres, para detectar anticuerpos IgG contra el SARS-CoV-2. Se obtuvieron DBS de 4.803 recién nacidos de hasta siete días de edad y sus madres, ambos asintomáticos, en clínicas de salud pública durante el cribado neonatal. Las DBS se procesaron mediante ELISA para detectar anticuerpos IgG contra el antígeno de la nucleocápside del SARS-CoV-2. Se entrevistó a madres de recién nacidos seropositivos sobre características sociodemográficas y antecedentes clínicos y de laboratorio. Se excluyeron muestras no satisfactorias, díadas con datos incompletos y madres vacunadas. De las 1.917 muestras de díadas DBS analizadas, el 14,7 % de los recién nacidos mostró anticuerpos IgG contra el SARS-CoV-2. Entre los recién nacidos seropositivos, el 73,2% de sus madres también eran seropositivas. Más de la mitad de las madres con recién nacidos seropositivos negaron sospecha clínica o de laboratorio de COVID-19 durante el embarazo. La sospecha ocurrió en el tercer trimestre para el 24,6% de las madres. Este estudio probó una estrategia innovadora para mejorar la comprensión de la dinámica de anticuerpos de COVID-19 durante el embarazo y sugiere la viabilidad de una encuesta serológica universal en mujeres puérperas y recién nacidos.

Health Vulnerability Index and newborn hearing screening: urban inequality. / Índice de Vulnerabilidade à Saúde e triagem auditiva neonatal: diferenciais intraurbanos.

PURPOSE: To analyze the intra-urban differentials related to the outcome of the Newborn Hearing Screening (NHS) of children living in Belo Horizonte tested in a reference service using the Health Vulnerability Index (HVI). METHODS: cross-sectional study with children living in Belo Horizonte evaluated by a Newborn Hearing Screening Reference Service (NHSRS) between 2010 and 2011. The HVI of the census tract of each child was obtained by the georeferencing of their respective addresses. Multivariate analysis was conducted using the decision tree technique, considering a statistical model for each response. A thematic map of points representing the geographic distribution of the children evaluated by the NHS program was also developed. RESULTS: The NHS failure rate for children living in areas with very high HVI, or without HVI data, was 1.5 times higher than that for children living in other census tracts. For children living in areas of low, medium, and high HVI, who underwent NHS after 30 days of life, the NHS failure rate was 2.1 times higher in children that presented Risk Indicator for Hearing Loss (RIHL) (17.2%) than in those who did not (8.1%). Uneven distribution was observed between areas for children that underwent the NHS and those who failed it. CONCLUSION: Significant intra-urban differentials were found in Belo Horizonte, indicating correlation between health vulnerability and NHS outcomes.

Quality indicators in a newborn hearing screening service.

INTRODUCTION: Newborn hearing screening (NHS) programs are implemented across the globe to detect early hearing impairment. In order to meet this objective, the quality of these programs should be monitored using internationally recognized indicators. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a newborn hearing screening service (NHSS) using international quality indicators. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study on the NHSS of Minas Gerais was conducted, analyzing the services performed between 2010 and 2011. Results were analyzed according to criteria from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing. RESULTS: This study assessed 6987 children. The proportions of cases that were referred for a retest, that followed through with retest, and that were referred for diagnosis were 8.0%, 71.9%, and 2.1%, respectively. The proportion of assessed newborn children in the first 30 days of life in this study was 65%. The median age of those children who failed both the NHS and the retest was significantly higher than the other children. The chance of a child with a hearing impairment risk indicator to fail the NHS was 2.4 times higher than of those without a risk indicator. CONCLUSION: NHSS achieved three of four evaluated indicators. Despite this, it is still necessary to perform NHS earlier and to ensure that the subsequent steps are followed.

Análise espacial da atenção especializada na Rede de Cuidados à Pessoa com Deficiência: o caso de Minas Gerais / Spatial analysis of specialized care in the Network for People with Disability: the case of Minas Gerais, Brazil

RESUMO Objetivo: mapear a Rede de Cuidados à Pessoa com Deficiência em Minas Gerais, com base na identificação dos pontos de atenção do componente de atenção especializada em reabilitação, suas modalidades e distribuição segundo a população. Método: estudo observacional transversal descritivo. Foram utilizadas técnicas de geoprocessamento para descrição da distribuição dos dispositivos da atenção especializada da Rede de Cuidados, conforme levantamento em abril de 2014. Adotaram-se como unidades de análise as regiões do estado descritas no Plano Diretor de Regionalização do estado. Foram analisadas legislações nacional e estadual e dados disponíveis nos relatórios de gestão da Secretaria de Estado de Saúde de Minas Gerais. Como variáveis, foram selecionadas a presença de pontos de atenção no território, o tipo de serviço ofertado e sua relação com a densidade populacional. Foram realizados: análise descritiva da distribuição espacial dos pontos de atenção, considerando as variáveis selecionadas, e georreferenciamento destes pontos, considerando tipo de serviço e modalidades de deficiência. Resultados: a Rede de Cuidados é composta por 183 pontos de atenção com maior concentração ao sul do estado: 135 (73,8%) Serviços Especializados em Reabilitação da Deficiência Intelectual, 18 (9,8%) Serviços de Reabilitação Física, 15 (8,2%) Serviços de Reabilitação Auditiva, 3 (1,6%) Serviços de Reabilitação Visual e 12 (6,6%) Centros Especializados em Reabilitação com duas ou mais modalidades. Observou-se maior concentração de serviços nas regiões mais populosas. Conclusão: a Rede de Cuidados à Pessoa com Deficiência possui grande desproporção entre as modalidades de reabilitação, com maior número de serviços voltados para reabilitação intelectual e distribuição não equânime, refletindo em vazios assistenciais.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To map the Care Network for People with Disabilities in Minas Gerais, based on the identification of the points of care in the rehabilitation specialized care component, its modalities and distribution according to the population. Method: Cross-sectional descriptive study. We used geoprocessing techniques to describe the distribution of the specialized care devices of the Network Care, as surveyed in April 2014. The regions of the state described in the State Regionalization Master Plan were adopted as analysis units. We analyzed data from National and state legislations and data available in the management reports of the Minas Gerais State Health Department. The presence of points of care in the territory, the type of service offered and its relationship with the population density were selected as variables. We performed a descriptive spatial analysis of the distribution of the points care considering the selected georeferenced variables and the type of service as well as the modalities of disability. Results: The Network Care is composed of 183 points of care with the higher concentration in the south of the state: 135 (73.8%) Specialized Services in Rehabilitation of Intellectual Disability, 18 (9.8%) Physical Rehabilitation Services, 15 (8.2%) Auditory Rehabilitation Services, 3 (1.6%) Visual Rehabilitation Services and 12 (6.6%) Specialized Rehabilitation Centers with two or more modalities. We observed greater concentration of services in the most populous regions. Conclusion: The Network Care presents great disproportion between rehabilitation modalities, with a greater number of services aimed at intellectual rehabilitation, and unequal distribution reflected in the care gap.

Implementação de um projeto de avaliação da Rede de Cuidados à Pessoa com Deficiência / Implementation of an evaluation project of the Disabled People Care Network / La implementación de un proyecto de evaluación de la Red de Atención de Personas con Discapacidad

O objetivo do estudo é descrever o percurso utilizado por uma equipe de pesquisadores para elaboração e desenvolvimento de um projeto de pesquisa para avaliação da Rede de Cuidados à Pessoa com Deficiência em Minas Gerais. Trata-se de relato de experiência, no qual foram destacadas as etapas percorridas pela equipe e a importância da discussão do tema da pesquisa, bem como a realização de reuniões periódicas; dos resultados preliminares com base no estudo dos dados secundários; da elaboração dos instrumentos de coleta; da seleção de novos integrantes e realização da instrumentalização; da realização do cálculo amostral e do estudo piloto. É de relevância o registro deste percurso para que novos estudos possam reproduzir este processo e, consequentemente, gerar a comparação com resultados obtidos em outros cenários.

This study is aiming to describe the course taken by a team of researchers to elaborate and develop a research project to evaluate the Disabled People Care Network in the state of Minas Gerais. This is an experience report, in which the stages taken by the team were highlighted and the importance upon the discussion of the research topic, as well as the regular meetings occurrences; preliminary results based on the regarding the study of secondary data; the preparation of collection instruments; the selection of new members and holding the instrumentalization; the completion of the sample calculation and the pilot study. It isimportant to register the route taken in a way to allow new studies to replicate this process and thus generate the comparison with results in different scenarios.

El objetivo del estudio es describir el recorrido metodológico de un equipo de investigadores a planear y desarrollar un proyecto de investigación para evaluar la Red de cuidado de la persona con discapacidad en Minas Gerais. Se trata de un relato de experiência, dividido por pasos. Fueron aspectos destacados en el manuscrito: las medidas tomadas por el equipo, la discusión del tema de la investigación, las reuniones periódicas; los resultados preliminares sobre la base del estudio de datos secundarios; el desarrollo de los instrumentos de recolecta de datos; la capacitación de nuevos miembros; la realización del cálculo de la muestra y un estudio piloto. Es importante registrar este camino para que nuevos estudios pueden replicar este proceso y por lo tanto generar la comparación con los resultados en otros contextos.