[Maternal affectivity during pregnancy, mother-child relationship, infant´s health and development in Kinshasa]. / Affects de la mère pendant la grossesse, relation mère-bébé, santé et développement du nourrisson à Kinshasa.

INTRODUCTION: the impact of prenatal maternal affectivity on infant development is poorly documented in Africa. The purpose of our study is to determine the relationship between mother feelings about pregnancy and childbirth, infant´s behavior and development. METHODS: one hundred and twenty mothers aged 28,4 years (± 12,18 years) with their babies aged 38,70 months (± 19,19) were enrolled in a cross-sectional study based on an interview and questionnaire on maternal affectivity, mother-child relationship, infant´s behavior and psychosocial development. Maternal depression was assessed by Edinburgh (EPDS), Goldberg Depression and anxiety scales and DSM-IV (MINI) criteria. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney were used to describe the relationship between maternal affectivity and infant's behavior and health. RESULTS: unintended pregnancy and fear of childbirth were associated with high anxiety and depression scores. Negative feelings about pregnancy were associated with the lack of social support by the child´s father (0.0110), stress when women were pregnant with a frustrated child (p=0.046), difficult consolability (p<0.001), poor baby's health (p=0.010), infant non-affiliative behavior (p=0.034) and depression identified by using EPDS (p=0.028). Fear of childbirth was associated with delayed or absent responses to infant´s signals (p=0.002) and stress if they were carrying a frustrated baby (p=0.020). CONCLUSION: negative feelings during pregnancy are predictive of maternal depression, mother-child relationship disorders, infant´s health and development.

[Socioemotional disorders in children living in Konzo-affected areas, an epidemic paralytic disease associated with cyanide poisoning from food in sub-Saharan Africa]. / Troubles socio-émotionnels de l'enfant en milieu Konzo, un syndrome paralytique de nature épidémique associé à une intoxication cyanhydrique d'origine alimentaire en Afrique sub-saharienne.

INTRODUCTION: the aim of this study was to describe the socioemotional profile of children living in Konzo-affected areas, an epidemic toxico-nutritional palsy in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS: we evaluated the socioemotional profile of 210 children, 123 with Konzo and 87 presumed to be healthy (4-17 years) based on a structured interview conducted with their parents during an epidemioclinic survey of Konzo in Congo-Kinshasa in 2011. Neurocognitive profile was identified by the KABC-II, the BOT-2 and the global neurological symptom index of Konzo. Associative tests were carried out by using chi-square test, logistic regression and, where applicable, generalized linear model, at the significance threshold of 0.05. RESULTS: in general, irritability, physical violence or inhibition with or without sadness were found in 46.0%, 30.2%, 18.7% of children respectively, with an increased risk of Konzo (OR = 2.6; CI95%: 1.4-4.8; p = 0.001). Socioemotional disorder was associated with underweight (OR: 0.49; CI95%: 0.31-0.78; p = 0.002) and with an elevated global neurological symptom index of Konzo (OR: 1.33; CI 95%: 1.1-1.63; p = 0.019); furthermore it exacerbated cognitive impairment in children with Konzo (interaction neurological status-socioemotional disorders D = 6.297; p = 0.013). High cognitive performances were observed in children without Konzo but with socioemotional disorders. The average concentration (standard deviation ± SD) of urinary thiocyanate was higher (554.8 ± 371.6 µmol/l) among children with Konzo associated with socioemotional disorders. CONCLUSION: children living in Konzo-affected areas have socioemotional disorders. Their psychopathological status and the effect of Konzo on cognition require in-depth studies.