Gross Motor Function in Children with Congenital Zika Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Little information on gross motor function of congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) children is available. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate gross motor function in CZS children aged up to 3 years, and its associated factors and changes in a minimum interval of 6 months. METHODS: One hundred children with CZS and cerebral palsy (36 with confirmed and 64 with presumed CZS) were evaluated with the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88/GMFM-66). Forty-six were reevaluated. Wilcoxon tests, Wilcoxon tests for paired samples, percentile scores, and score changes were performed. RESULTS: Clinical and socioeconomic characteristics (except maternal age), GMFM scores and GMFCS classification of confirmed and probable cases, which were analyzed together, were similar. The mean age was 25.6 months (±5.5); the median GMFM-88 score was 8.0 (5.4-10.8); and the median GMFM-66 score was 20.5 (14.8-23.1); 89% were classified as GMFCS level V. Low economic class, microcephaly at birth, epilepsy, and brain parenchymal volume loss were associated with low GMFM-66 scores. The median GMFM-66 percentile score was 40 (20-55). On the second assessment, the GMFM-66 scores in two GMFCS level I children and one GMFCS level IV child improved significantly. In one GMFCS level III child, one GMFCS level IV child, and the group of GMFCS level V children, no significant changes were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Almost all CZS children had severe cerebral palsy; in the third year of life, most presented no improvement in gross motor function and were likely approaching their maximal gross motor function potential.

Overweight, obese, underweight, and frequency of sugar consumption as risk indicators for early childhood caries in Brazilian preschool children.

BACKGROUND: A possible association between being overweight or obese and early childhood caries (ECC) remains controversial. AIM: To investigated this association in a developing country testing the confounding effects of socioeconomic factors and frequency of sugar consumption. METHODS: Historical cohort study, 388 children (aged 24-71 months) living in São Luís, Brazil. A theoretical model adjusted according to income, birthweight, and nutritional status at twelve months and frequency of sugar consumption was generated with directed acyclic graphs to analyze this association. Caries were considered a discrete variable in the Poisson regression models; incidence density ratios (IRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were estimated. RESULTS: Being overweight or obese (IR = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.03-2.22) was independently associated with ECC. Being thin or very thin (IR = 1.97; 95% CI: 1.52-2.54), a high frequency of sugar consumption (IR = 1.83; 95% CI: 1.42-2.38), and age (IR = 3.62; 95% CI: 2.58-5.08) were associated with ECC. CONCLUSIONS: Children overweight or obese, as well as children exhibiting being thin/very thin, were associated with ECC independent of socioeconomic variables and a high frequency of sugar consumption.

Early Growth and Neurologic Outcomes of Infants with Probable Congenital Zika Virus Syndrome.

We report the early growth and neurologic findings of 48 infants in Brazil diagnosed with probable congenital Zika virus syndrome and followed to age 1-8 months. Most of these infants had microcephaly (86.7%) and craniofacial disproportion (95.8%). The clinical pattern included poor head growth with increasingly negative z-scores, pyramidal/extrapyramidal symptoms, and epilepsy.

Psychological violence against pregnant women in a prenatal care cohort: rates and associated factors in São Luís, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Violence against pregnant women has been associated with gestational and perinatal disorders. Psychological violence is the type least investigated and its associated factors have been little studied. The present study was conducted in order to estimate prevalence rates and analyze the factors associated with exclusive and recurrent psychological violence in the municipality of São Luís, Brazil. METHODS: Data regarding 982 pregnant women, aged from 14 to 45 years, interviewed in 2010 and 2011 in a prenatal cohort were used. A self-applied questionnaire was used to screen for violence. Pregnant women submitted to physical and sexual violence were excluded from the analysis of factors associated with exclusive psychological violence. Prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated by a Poisson regression model with a hierarchical approach at three levels. At level 1 of the theoretical-conceptual model, we analyzed demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and variables that express gender inequalities; at level 2, we analyzed social support received by the women, and at level 3, the life experiences of the pregnant women. RESULTS: Prevalence rate of exclusive psychological violence was 41.6% and of recurrent violence was 32.6%. Exclusive psychological violence was associated with pregnant women's age of 14 to 18 years (PR: 1.32 95% CI: 1.04 - 1.70), pregnant women's schooling superior to that of her intimate partner (PR: 1.54 95% CI: 1.09 - 2.16), inadequate social affective support/positive social interaction (PR: 1.34 95% CI: 1.11 - 1.62), use of illicit drugs by the pregnant women (PR: 1.80 95% CI: 1.16 - 2.81) and having had six or more intimate partners in life (PR: 1.52 95% CI: 1.18 - 1.96). Recurrent exclusive psychological violence was associated with inadequate social affective support/positive social interaction (PR: 1.47 95% CI: 1.15 - 1.87), use of illicit drugs by the pregnant women (PR: 2,28 95% CI: 1,40 - 3,71) and having had six or more intimate partners in life (PR: 1.47 95% CI: 1.06 - 2.03). CONCLUSIONS: Psychological violence was a common phenomenon in this population of pregnant women that was associated with gender inequalities, inadequate social support and illicit drug use and should be routinely investigated during prenatal visits at health care services.

Continuous epileptiform discharges are associated with worse neurodevelopmental findings in a congenital Zika syndrome prospective cohort.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify continuous epileptiform discharges (CEDs) on electroencephalograms (EEG) and to determine their clinical significance in children with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 75 children diagnosed with CZS born from March 2015 and followed up until September 2018 (age up to 36 months). EEG was performed to detect CEDs up to 24 months old. Data on obstetric, demographic, and clinical signs; cranial computed tomography (CT); ophthalmology examination; anti-seizure medication; growth; and motor development were collected. Fisher's exact test was used to verify the associations between categorical variables, and the T- test was used to compare the mean z-scores of anthropometric measurements between the groups with and without CED. RESULTS: CEDs were identified in 41 (54.67 %) children. The mean age of CEDs identification was 12.24 ± 6.86 months. Bilateral CEDs were shown in 62.89 % of EEGs. CEDs were associated with severe congenital microcephaly, defined by z-score >3 standard deviation of head circumference (HC) below the mean for sex and age (p = 0.025), and worse outcomes, including first seizure before 6 months (p = 0.004), drug-resistant epilepsy (p < 0.001), chorioretinal scarring or mottling (p = 0.002), and severe CT findings (p = 0.002). The CED group had lower mean z-scores of HC up to 24 months of age. CONCLUSION: This is the first description of the prevalence and significance of CEDs that also remains during wakefulness in patients with CZS. New investigations may suggest that it is more appropriate to classify the EEG not as a CED, but as a periodic pattern. Anyway, CEDs may be a marker of neurological severity in children with CSZ.

Do childhood depressive symptoms interfere with intelligence in adulthood?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of depressive symptoms in childhood on the intellectual development of young adults. METHODS: Study conducted with a birth cohort of São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil, composed of 339 participants evaluated between 7 and 9 years and between 18 and 19 years. Structural equation modeling (young adult education, sex, race/color) and childhood variables (nutritional status, depressive symptoms, cognitive function, head of household's and mother's education, family income) were used. In addition, head of household's occupation, mother's age, and presence of partner were tested as determinants of adults' intelligence quotient (IQ). RESULTS: Presence of depressive symptoms in childhood triggered a reduction of 0.342 in standard deviation (SD) and -3.83 points in the average IQ of adults (p-value < 0.001). Cognitive function in childhood had a total and direct positive effect (standardized coefficient [SC] = 0.701; p-value < 0.001) on IQ, increasing 7.84 points with each increase in level. A positive indirect effect of child nutritional status (SC = 0.194; p-value = 0.045), head of household's (SC = 0.162; p-value = 0.036), and mother's education was identified, the latter mediated by cognitive function in childhood (SC = 0.215; p-value = 0.012) on the IQ of young people. CONCLUSION: Presence of depressive symptoms in childhood triggered a long-term negative effect on intelligence, reducing the IQ score in adulthood.

Deaths, crimes and violence not classified as a crime among children and adolescents in Maranhão, Brazil (2014 to 2020). / Óbitos, crimes e violências não tipificadas como crimes contra crianças e adolescentes no Maranhão, Brasil, 2014 a 2020.

This study compares temporal trends in violent deaths of children and adolescents and analyzes differences in incidents of violence classified and not classified as a crime. We analyzed data from the Mortality Information System and State of Maranhão Public Security Department for the period 2014 to 2020. Child and adolescent were defined as aged 0-11 and 12-17 years old, respectively. Types of violence were organized according to the groups, subgroups, and types of crimes set out in Brazil's penal code. A total of 1,326 deaths and 8,187 incidents of violence were reported, both of which were more frequent in adolescents. The most frequent types of violence in children and adolescentes, respectively, were: abduction of incapable persons (p < 0.001), abandonment of incapable persons (p = 0.045), rape of vulnerable persons (p = 0.003); homicides (p < 0.001), crimes against individual freedom (p = 0.004), crimes against sexual freedom (p < 0.001), psychological violence (p = 0.034). Domestic violence with bodily harm was more frequent in girls (p < 0.001), while severe bodily harm (p=0.002), homicide (p < 0.001), and harassment (p < 0.001) were more frequent in boys. The findings reveal differences over time in deaths and incidents of violence classified and not classified as crime among both children and adolescents.

O presente estudo compara tendências temporais de óbitos por violências contra crianças e adolescentes e analisa diferenças em ocorrências tipificadas ou não como crimes. Foram analisados dados do Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade e da Secretaria de Segurança Pública do Estado do Maranhão, Brasil, de 2014-2020. Crianças e adolescentes foram definidos respectivamente como pessoas com 0-11 e 12-17 anos. Tipos de violências foram organizados segundo grupos, subgrupos e tipos penais do Código Penal Brasileiro. Foram contabilizados 1.326 óbitos e 8.187 ocorrências, mais frequentes na adolescência. Subtração de incapazes (p < 0,001), abandono de incapaz (p = 0,045) e estupro de vulnerável (p = 0,003) predominaram na infância. Homicídios (p < 0,001), crimes contra a liberdade individual (p = 0,004), crimes contra a liberdade sexual (p < 0,001) e violência psicológica (p = 0,034) foram mais frequentes na adolescência. Violência doméstica com lesão corporal predominou no sexo feminino (p < 0,001). Lesões corporais graves (p = 0,002), homicídios (p < 0,001) e constrangimento ilegal (p < 0,001) vitimizaram mais adolescentes do sexo masculino. Houve diferenças temporais em óbitos e ocorrências de violências contra crianças e adolescentes, assim como em características de violências tipificadas ou não como crimes.

Influence of mode of delivery on satisfaction with hospitalization for childbirth in the study Birth in Brazil.

Controversial results have been reported on the association between mode of delivery and patient satisfaction. This study investigates which mode of delivery leads to greater satisfaction with hospital admission for childbirth. A cohort study was conducted with data from the Birth in Brazil study, which began in 2011. A total of 23,046 postpartum women were included from a random sample of hospitals, selected by conglomerates with a three level stratification. At the first follow-up, 15,582 women were re-interviewed. Mode of delivery, dichotomized into vaginal or cesarean section, and confounders were collected before hospital discharge. The outcome maternal satisfaction, investigated as a 10-item unidimensional construct, was measured by the Hospital Birth Satisfaction Scale up to six months after discharge. We used a directed acyclic graph to define minimal adjustment variables for confounding. The effect of mode of delivery on satisfaction was estimated using a structural equation model with weighting by the inverse of the probability of selection, considering the complex sampling design. The weight was estimated considering the different sample selection probabilities, the losses to follow-up, and the propensity score, which was estimated in a logistic regression model. The analysis revealed no significant difference in satisfaction with hospitalization for childbirth between respondents who had vaginal delivery and cesarean section in the adjusted analysis (standardized coefficient = 0.089; p-value = 0.056). Therefore, women who had vaginal delivery and cesarean section were equally satisfied with their hospitalization for childbirth.

Decline in head circumference growth and associated factors in congenital Zika syndrome.

Little is known about the evolution of head circumference (HC) in children with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). This study aims to evaluate HC growth in children with CZS in the first three years of life and identify associated factors. HC data obtained at birth and in neuropediatric consultations from 74 children with CZS were collected from the Child's Health Handbook, parents' reports, and medical records. Predictors of HC z-score were investigated using different mixed-effects models; Akaike's information criterion was used for model selection. The HC z-score decreased from -2.7 ± 1.6 at birth to -5.5 ± 2.2 at 3 months of age, remaining relatively stable thereafter. In the selected adjusted model, the presence of severe brain parenchymal atrophy and maternal symptoms of infection in the first trimester of pregnancy were associated with a more pronounced reduction in the HC z-score in the first three years of life. The decrease of HC z-score in CZS children over the first three months demonstrated a reduced potential for growth and development of the central nervous system of these children. The prognosis of head growth in the first 3 years of life is worse when maternal infection occurs in the first gestational trimester and in children who have severe brain parenchymal atrophy.

[Maternal occupation and the duration of exclusive breastfeeding: results of a birth cohort in São Luís, in the State of Maranhão, Brazil]. / Ocupação materna e duração do aleitamento materno exclusivo: resultados de uma coorte de nascimento em São Luís, Maranhão, Brasil.

In investigations determining the duration of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), the variable paid maternal work is mostly dichotomized into no and yes. This study analyzes possible associations between the characteristics of maternal occupation and shorter EBF duration. A cohort study was conducted in a systematic sample of births in the city of São Luís (State of Maranhão, Brazil), in 2010. The variables type of maternal occupation, numbers of days worked/week and hours worked/day, if they work while standing for most of the time, and if they lift heavy objects at work were collected with 5,166 mothers of live births. The final sample of this study had 3,268 observations. Survival analysis was used to evaluate associations between variables and EBF outcomes up to 4 months (EBF4) and EBF up to 6 months (EBF6). Not having paid work was the reference category. Adjusted Cox regressions showed that mothers with semi-specialized manual work (95% confidence interval, 95%CI: 1.02-1.58 for EBF4 and 95%CI: 1.11-1.56 for EBF6) and mothers who worked 8 or more hours daily (95%CI: 1.01-1.36 for AME4 and 95%CI: 1.11-1.41 for ESA6) more frequently discontinued EBF. Mothers with in-office occupations (95%CI: 1.07-1.46), who worked 4-5 days (95%CI: 1.01-1.36) or 6-7 days/week (95%CI: 1.09-1.40) and for 5-7 hours (95%CI: 1.03-1.43) also practiced less EBF6. Working (95%CI: 1.08-1.40) or not (95%CI: 1.03-1.34) while standing for most of the workday and lifting (95%CI: 1.07-1.56) or not (95%CI: 1.06-1.33) heavy objects at work decreased the duration of EBF6. Types of occupation and working time interfered more frequently in the duration of EBF6.

Nas investigações dos determinantes da duração do aleitamento materno exclusivo (AME), a variável trabalho materno remunerado é quase sempre dicotomizada em não e sim. Este estudo analisa possíveis associações entre características da ocupação materna e menor duração do AME. Foi realizado um estudo de coorte em uma amostra sistemática de nascimentos do Município de São Luís (Maranhão, Brasil) em 2010. As exposições tipo de ocupação materna, números de dias trabalhados/semana e de horas trabalhadas/dia, trabalha em pé a maior parte do tempo e levanta objetos pesados nesse trabalho foram coletadas com 5.166 mães de nascidos vivos. A amostra final desse estudo teve 3.268 observações. Foi utilizada análise de sobrevida para testar associações entre as exposições e os desfechos AME até 4 meses (AME4) e AME até 6 meses (AME6). Não ter trabalho remunerado foi a categoria de referência. Regressões ajustadas de Cox mostraram que mães com ocupações manuais semiespecializadas (intervalo de 95% de confiança, IC95%: 1,02-1,58 para AME4 e IC95%: 1,11-1,56 para AME6) e mães que trabalhavam 8 ou mais horas diárias (IC95%: 1,01-1,36 para AME4 e IC95%: 1,11-1,41 para AME6) mais frequentemente interromperam AME. Mães com ocupações em funções de escritório (IC95%: 1,07-1,46), que trabalhavam 4-5 dias (IC95%: 1,01-1,36) ou 6-7 dias/semana (IC95%: 1,09-1,40) e por 5-7 horas (IC95%: 1,03-1,43) também praticaram menos AME6. Trabalhar (IC95%: 1,08-1,40) ou não (IC95%: 1,03-1,34) em pé a maior parte do tempo e levantar (IC95%: 1,07-1,56) ou não (IC95%: 1,06-1,33) objetos pesados no trabalho diminuíram a duração de AME6. Tipos de ocupação e de jornada de trabalho interferiram mais frequentemente na duração de AME6.

En las investigaciones sobre los determinantes de la duración de la lactancia materna exclusiva (LME), la variable trabajo materno remunerado casi siempre se dicotomiza en no y sí. Este estudio analiza las posibles asociaciones entre las características de la ocupación materna y la menor duración de la LME. Se realizó un estudio de cohorte sobre una muestra sistemática de nacimientos en el Municipio de São Luís (Maranhão, Brasil), en el 2010. Se recopilaron las exposiciones tipo de ocupación materna, número de días trabajados/semana y horas trabajadas/día, trabajo de pie la mayor parte del tiempo y levantamiento de objetos pesados en el trabajo con 5.166 madres de nacidos vivos. La muestra final de este estudio contó con 3.268 observaciones. Se utilizó el análisis de sobrevida para probar las asociaciones entre las exposiciones y los desenlaces LME hasta 4 meses (LME4) y LME hasta 6 meses (LME6). No tener trabajo remunerado fue la categoría de referencia. Las regresiones ajustadas de Cox mostraron que las madres con ocupaciones manuales semiespecializadas (intervalo del 95% de confianza, IC95%: 1,02-1,58 para LME4 y IC95%: 1,11-1,56 para LME6) y las madres que trabajaban 8 horas o más al día (IC95%: 1,01-1,36 para LME4 y IC95%: 1,11-1,41 para LME6) interrumpieron con más frecuencia la LME. Las madres con ocupaciones en funciones de oficina (IC95%: 1,07-1,46), que trabajaban 4-5 días (IC95%: 1,01-1,36) o 6-7 días/semana (IC95%: 1,09-1,40) y durante 5-7 horas (IC95%: 1,03-1,43) también redujeron la LME6. Trabajar (IC95%: 1,08-1,40) o no (IC95%: 1,03-1,34) estar de pie la mayor parte del tiempo y levantar (IC95%: 1,07-1,56) o no (IC95%: 1,06-1,33) objetos pesados en el trabajo redujo la duración de la LME6. Los tipos de ocupación y la jornada laboral interfirieron con mayor frecuencia en la duración de la LME6.

Differences in Puberty of Girls before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in consultations for precocious puberty. We aim to analyze differences in female puberty before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional analytical study was designed at the Pediatric Endocrinology Clinic of the University Hospital of the Federal University of Maranhão in São Luis, Brazil. We included 55 girls with precocious puberty, 22 who started puberty during the pandemic and 33 who started puberty before the pandemic. Clinical, anthropometric, laboratory and imaging variables were compared between groups. Statistics were performed to determine if there was a statistical difference between the groups. Girls with puberty during the pandemic had higher Z-scores for weight (1.08 ± 1.29 versus 0.69 ± 0.83; p = 0.04), lower ovarian volume (1.88 ± 0.95 versus 3.15 ± 2.31; p = 0.01), and smaller differences between thelarche noticed by the parents and the diagnosis (6.63 ± 5.21 versus 12.15 ± 9.96; p = 0.02). The association between precocious puberty during the pandemic with higher Z-scores for weight, lower ovarian volume, and a reduction in the time between the perception of pubertal findings by parents and the diagnosis suggests the influence of the pandemic on the normal time of puberty.

Characteristics associated with drug resistant epilepsy in children up to 36 months old with Congenital Zika Syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To verify characteristics associated with drug resistant epilepsy in children up to 36 months of age with Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS). METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study with children aged up to 36 months diagnosed with CZS. Obstetric, demographic, phenotype and other clinical signs, cranial tomography, growth and motor development of the children were collected. RESULTS: Of a total of 109 children diagnosed with CZS, 100 (91.7%) had epilepsy and 68 (68%) with drug resistant seizures. The types of seizures associated with drug resistant epilepsy were focal seizures from the occipital lobe, generalized tonic and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. There was an association between drug resistant epilepsy and microcephaly at birth, severe microcephaly at birth, excess nuchal skin, ventriculomegaly, reduced brain parenchyma volume, and hypoplasia or malformation of the cerebellum. Difficulty sleeping, irritability, continuous crying, dysphagia and gross motor function were clinical signs associated with drug resistant epilepsy, as were the presence of ocular abnormalities, low head circumference in the first year of life and low weight in the first six months. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of drug resistant epilepsy in children up to 36 months with CZS was 62.4% and was associated with the severity of the child's neurological damage, with emphasis on the reduction of brain parenchyma volume and damage to the cerebellum.

Spatial Analysis of Notified Zika Virus Congenital Syndrome, Maranhão, 2015 to 2018. / Análise espacial da taxa de detecção de casos suspeitos de síndrome congênita pelo vírus Zika, Maranhão, 2015 a 2018.

OBJECTIVE: To identify spatial patterns in cases of changes in growth and development related to Zika virus infection and other infectious etiologies (denominated Zika virus congenital syndrome in this study) reported in Maranhão from 2015 to 2018 and their relation with socioeconomic and demographic variables. METHODS: Ecological study of notified Zika virus congenital syndrome cases in the 217 cities of Maranhão, Brasil. Spatial autocorrelation was calculated using GeoDa 1.14 software and the local and global (I) Moran's index in univariate and bivariate analyses on Zika virus congenital syndrome incidence rate with Municipal Human Development Index (MHDI), population density, Gini coefficient and the cities' time of administrative political emancipation. Local Moran's Index was calculated to identify clusters with significant spatial autocorrelation. RESULTS: Spatial autocorrelation was checked in univariate analysis of the incidence rate of Zika virus congenital syndrome (I=0,494; p=0,001) and positive correlation in bivariate analysis of the incidence rate with Municipal Human Development Index (I=0,252; p=0,001), population density (I=0,338; p=0,001) and the cities' time of administrative political emancipation (I=0,134; p=0,001). The correlation between incidence rate with Gini coefficient was not significant (I= -0,033; p=0,131). Five high-incidence clusters were found in distinct areas of the state. CONCLUSIONS: Cities with higher MHDI, higher population density and more years of administrative political emancipation had more cases of Zika virus congenital syndrome notified.

OBJETIVO: Identificar padrões espaciais em casos de lactentes com alterações de crescimento e desenvolvimento relacionadas à infecção pelo vírus Zika e outras etiologias infecciosas (neste trabalho denominado de síndrome congênita pelo vírus Zika), notificados no Maranhão de 2015 a 2018 e sua relação com variáveis socioeconômicas e demográficas. MÉTODOS: Estudo ecológico de casos suspeitos notificados de síndrome congênita pelo vírus Zika nos 217 municípios do Maranhão, Brasil. Calculou-se a autocorrelação espacial pelos índices de Moran local e global (I) univariado e bivariado da taxa de detecção de casos suspeitos de síndrome congênita pelo vírus Zika com índice de desenvolvimento humano municipal, densidade demográfica, índice de Gini e tempo de emancipação político-administrativa dos municípios. O índice de Moran local foi calculado para localizar clusters com autocorrelação espacial significativa. RESULTADOS: Houve autocorrelação espacial na análise univariada da taxa municipal de detecção de casos suspeitos de síndrome congênita pelo vírus Zika (I=0,494; p=0,001) e, na análise bivariada, correlação positiva da taxa de detecção de casos suspeitos com índice de desenvolvimento humano municipal (I=0,252; p=0,001), densidade demográfica (I=0,338; p=0,001) e tempo de emancipação dos municípios (I=0,134; p=0,001). Não houve correlação significativa da taxa de detecção de casos suspeitos com o índice de Gini (I= -0,033; p=0,131). Cinco clusters de alta detecção de casos suspeitos foram encontrados em áreas distintas do estado. CONCLUSÕES: Os municípios com maior índice de desenvolvimento humano municipal, maior densidade demográfica e mais tempo de emancipação político-administrativa tiveram mais casos suspeitos notificados de síndrome congênita pelo vírus Zika.

[Therapeutic itinerary of children with microcephaly due to the Zika virus]. / Itinerário terapêutico de crianças com microcefalia pelo vírus Zika.

In 2015, there was an epidemic of microcephaly in Brazil that was associated with infection by the Zika virus. The condition of these children obliged the parents to embark on a quest in search of treatment. The scope of this study was to establish the therapeutic itinerary pursued in healthcare sectors by parents and/or caregivers of children with microcephaly due to the Zika virus. It involved qualitative research, conducted at a Center of Reference on Neurodevelopment between April 2017 and February 2018, with parents and/or caregivers of children with microcephaly caused by the Zika virus. The sample complied with the criteria of saturation. Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted, recorded, and transcribed, and content analysis was applied. The results revealed disorientation and uncertainties in the search for care in the health sector. The most sought-after sector was the professional sector, followed by the informal sector. The information conveyed in the media and social networks, which constitute part of the informal sector, helped to clarify the significance of microcephaly and the Zika virus and assisted in the search for treatment. Care in the healthcare network was marked by difficulties and, faced with a new and emergency situation, the route between diagnosis and treatment was arduous.

Em 2015, no Brasil, houve uma epidemia de microcefalia que foi associada à infecção pelo vírus Zika. A condição destas crianças impulsionou os pais a percorrerem um caminho em busca por tratamento. O objetivo deste estudo foi conhecer o itinerário terapêutico percorrido por pais e/ou cuidadores de crianças com microcefalia pelo vírus Zika nos setores de atenção à saúde. Pesquisa de abordagem qualitativa, realizada em um Centro de Referência em Neurodesenvolvimento, no período de abril de 2017 a fevereiro de 2018, com pais e/ou cuidadores de crianças com microcefalia pelo vírus Zika. A amostra obedeceu aos critérios de saturação de sentidos. Foram feitas 20 entrevistas semiestruturadas, gravadas e transcritas. Realizou-se análise de conteúdo, na modalidade temática. Os resultados demostraram desorientação e incertezas na busca pelo cuidado nos setores de saúde. O setor mais procurado foi o profissional, seguido pelo informal e popular. As informações veiculadas na mídia e redes sociais, que fazem parte do setor informal, contribuíram para esclarecer o significado da microcefalia e vírus Zika e auxiliou na busca por tratamento. O cuidado na rede de Atenção à Saúde foi marcado pela peregrinação. Diante de uma situação nova e emergencial, o caminho percorrido, entre o diagnóstico e o tratamento, foi árduo.

Recurrent Violence, Violence with Complications, and Intimate Partner Violence Against Pregnant Women and Breastfeeding Duration.

Background: Few studies have investigated the association between violence against pregnant women in terms of recurrence, complications, and perpetrators of violence, and breastfeeding duration. This study verifies whether recurrent violence, violence with pregnancy complications, and intimate partner violence (IPV) against pregnant women are associated with shorter exclusive breastfeeding up to the infant's 6th month and breastfeeding up to the 12th month of life. Materials and Methods: A cohort study with a convenience sample of 1,146 pregnant women was performed. Follow-up assessments were conducted at birth, and at 12-36 months. Survival analysis was used to verify whether recurrent violence, violence with pregnancy complications, and IPV were associated with reduced duration of exclusive breastfeeding and breastfeeding. Results: The adjusted Cox regression revealed no difference regarding exclusive breastfeeding duration among mothers exposed or not exposed to violence and according to who perpetrated the violence. The risk of an infant not being breastfed within the first 12 months of life increased in cases of violence before/during pregnancy (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03-1.88), recurrent psychological/physical/sexual violence during pregnancy (95% CI = 1.11-1.92), recurrent psychological violence (95% CI = 1.05-1.96), and recurrent physical/sexual violence (95% CI = 1.01-2.39). Violence with pregnancy complications (95% CI = 0.94-2.22) was not associated with breastfeeding interruption. Similar risks of breastfeeding interruption were observed for IPV (95% CI = 0.96-1.87) and violence perpetrated by other family members (95% CI = 0.83-1.89). Conclusions: We observed a shorter breastfeeding duration up to 12 months of life in cases of recurrent violence.

Congenital Zika syndrome: Growth, clinical, and motor development outcomes up to 36 months of age and differences according to microcephaly at birth.

BACKGROUND: Little is known regarding the developmental consequences of congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) without microcephaly at birth. Most previously published clinical series were descriptive and they had small sample sizes. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a cohort study to compare the growth, clinical, and motor development outcomes for 110 children with CZS born with and without microcephaly up to their third birthday. Ninety-three had their head circumference (HC) at birth abstracted and they did not have hypertensive hydrocephalus at birth, where 61 were born with microcephaly and 32 without. RESULTS: The HC z-scores decreased steeply from birth to six months of age, i.e., from -3.77 to -6.39 among those with microcephaly at birth and from -1.03 to -3.84 among those without. Thus, at 6 months of age, the mean HC z-scores for children born without microcephaly were nearly the same as those for children born with microcephaly. Children born without microcephaly were less likely to have brain damage, ophthalmic abnormalities, and drug-resistant epilepsy, but the differences in many conditions were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Children born without microcephaly were only slightly less likely to present severe neurologic impairment and to develop postnatal-onset microcephaly, and some of the original differences between the groups tended to dissipate with age.

RPS Brazilian Birth Cohorts Consortium (Ribeirão Preto, Pelotas and São Luís): history, objectives and methods.

This paper describes the history, objectives and methods used by the nine Brazilian cohorts of the RPS Brazilian Birth Cohorts Consortium (Ribeirão Preto, Pelotas and São Luís) Common thematic axes are identified and the objectives, baseline periods, follow-up stages and representativity of the population studied are presented. The Consortium includes three birth cohorts from Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State (1978/1979, 1994 and 2010), four from Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul State (1982, 1993, 2004 and 2015), and two from São Luís, Maranhão State (1997 and 2010). The cohorts cover three regions of Brazil, from three distinct states, with marked socioeconomic, cultural and infrastructure differences. The cohorts were started at birth, except for the most recent one in each municipality, where mothers were recruited during pregnancy. The instruments for data collection have been refined in order to approach different exposures during the early phases of life and their long-term influence on the health-disease process. The investigators of the nine cohorts carried out perinatal studies and later studied human capital, mental health, nutrition and precursor signs of noncommunicable diseases. A total of 17,636 liveborns were recruited in Ribeirão Preto, 19,669 in Pelotas, and 7,659 in São Luís. In the studies starting during pregnancy, 1,400 pregnant women were interviewed in Ribeirão Preto, 3,199 in Pelotas, and 1,447 in São Luís. Different strategies were employed to reduce losses to follow-up. This research network allows the analysis of the incidence of diseases and the establishment of possible causal relations that might explain the health outcomes of these populations in order to contribute to the development of governmental actions and health policies more consistent with reality.

Congenital Zika syndrome: association between the gestational trimester of maternal infection, severity of brain computed tomography findings and microcephaly at birth.

This study analyzed possible associations between the trimester of maternal Zika virus infection (ZIKV) in pregnancy, severity of brain computed tomography (CT) findings and the presence of microcephaly at birth in children with Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS). It was an analytical study in a cohort of children with CZS. Symptoms of maternal infection were dichotomized into the 1st trimester of pregnancy and other trimesters. Head circumference (HC) at birth was used to calculate the z-score. Mild microcephaly was defined as HC between 2 and ≥3 standard deviations (SD) below the mean for each gestational age and sex, and severe microcephaly when HC <3 SD below average. Brain CT images were evaluated by two radiologists and classified, according to the severity, into mild, moderate and severe. Fisher's exact, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to verify the associations between variables. In 108 children, maternal infection in the 1st trimester of pregnancy was associated with more severe brain CT abnormalities (p=0.038), greater severity of microcephaly at birth (p=0.013) and lower HC z-scores at birth (p=0.021). The severity of brain CT lesions was also associated with lower HC z-scores at birth (p<0.001). Maternal ZIKV infection during the first trimester of pregnancy proved to be an important risk factor for a more severe spectrum of CZS, as it is associated with more severe brain CT abnormalities and, consequently, with lower HC z-scores at birth.

Inversion of traditional gender roles and intimate partner violence against pregnant women.

This study analyzed the association between the inversion of traditional gender roles and exclusive psychological and physical/sexual intimate partner violence, in a cross-sectional study of Brazilian pregnant women, identified through prenatal services in the municipalities of São Luís, Maranhão State (n = 992) and Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State (n = 943). The pregnant women ranged from 12 to 45 years. Inversion of traditional gender roles was assessed by calculating differences in age, education and occupation between pregnant women and their co-residing intimate partners and identifying the largest contribution to family income. The conceptual model was tested with structural equation modeling and showed acceptable fit. The prevalence of any type of intimate partner violence was 29.8% in São Luís and 20.1% in Ribeirão Preto. In both municipalities, pregnant women were more likely to suffer exclusive psychological and physical/sexual violence when they had the highest income in the family (p < 0.005). In São Luís, physical/sexual violence was more common among women who were better educated than their partners (standardized coefficient, SC = -0.466; p = 0.007). In Ribeirão Preto, exclusive psychological violence was more frequent among women who had lower status occupations than their partners (SC = 0.236; p = 0.004). Inversion of traditional gender roles is associated with exclusive psychological and physical/sexual violence against pregnant women by their co-residing intimate partners. These findings suggest that women's empowerment at an individual level does not necessarily relieve them of intimate partner abuse in social contexts where traditional gender norms persist.

Mental disorders in adolescents, youth, and adults in the RPS Birth Cohort Consortium (Ribeirão Preto, Pelotas and São Luís), Brazil. / Transtornos mentais em adolescentes, jovens e adultos do Consórcio de Coortes de Nascimento brasileiras RPS (Ribeirão Preto, Pelotas e São Luís).

Although depression and anxiety are known to result in disabilities and workplace and health system losses, population-based studies on this problem are rare in Brazil. The current study assessed the prevalence of mental disorders in adolescents, youth, and adults and the relationship to sociodemographic characteristics in five birth cohorts (RPS) in Ribeirão Preto (São Paulo State), Pelotas (Rio Grande do Sul State), and São Luís (Maranhão State), Brazil. Major depressive episode, suicide risk, social phobia, and generalized anxiety disorder were assessed with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Bootstrap confidence intervals were estimated and prevalence rates were stratified by sex and socioeconomic status in the R program. The study included 12,350 participants from the cohorts. Current major depressive episode was more prevalent in adolescents in São Luís (15.8%; 95%CI: 14.8-16.8) and adults in Ribeirão Preto (12.9%; 95%CI: 12.0-13.9). The highest prevalence rates for suicide risk were in adults in Ribeirão Preto (13.7%; 95%CI: 12.7-14.7), and the highest rates for social phobia and generalized anxiety were in youth in Pelotas, with 7% (95%CI: 6.3-7.7) and 16.5% (95%CI: 15.4-17.5), respectively. The lowest prevalence rates of suicide risk were in youth in Pelotas (8.8%; 95%CI: 8.0-9.6), social phobia in youth in Ribeirão Preto (1.8%; 95%CI: 1.5-2.2), and generalized anxiety in adolescents in São Luís (3.5%; 95%CI: 3.0-4.0). Mental disorders in general were more prevalent in women and in individuals with lower socioeconomic status, independently of the city and age, emphasizing the need for more investment in mental health in Brazil, including gender and socioeconomic determinants.

Embora se reconheça que depressão e ansiedade resultem em incapacidades, bem como em prejuízos laborais e para os sistemas de saúde, pesquisas de base populacional são escassas no Brasil. Este estudo avaliou a prevalência de transtornos mentais em adolescentes, jovens e adultos e sua relação com características sociodemográficas em cinco coortes de nascimento (RPS): Ribeirão Preto (São Paulo), Pelotas (Rio Grande do Sul) e São Luís (Maranhão), Brasil. Episódio depressivo, risco de suicídio, fobia social e transtorno de ansiedade generalizada foram avaliados usando-se o Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Intervalos de confiança bootstrap foram estimados e prevalências estratificadas por sexo e nível socioeconômico no programa R. Foram incluídos 12.350 participantes das coortes. Episódio depressivo maior atual foi mais prevalente em adolescentes de São Luís (15,8%; IC95%: 14,8-16,8) e nos adultos de Ribeirão Preto (12,9%; IC95%: 12,0-13,9). As maiores prevalências para risco de suicídio ocorreram nos adultos de Ribeirão Preto (13,7%; IC95%:12,7-14,7), fobia social e ansiedade generalizada nos jovens de Pelotas com 7% (IC95%: 6,3-7,7) e 16,5% (IC95%: 15,4-17,5), respectivamente. As menores prevalências de risco de suicídio ocorreram nos jovens de Pelotas (8,8%; IC95%: 8,0-9,6), fobia social nos jovens de Ribeirão Preto (1,8%; IC95%: 1,5-2,2) e ansiedade generalizada nos adolescentes de São Luís (3,5%; IC95%: 3,0-4,0). Em geral, os transtornos mentais foram mais prevalentes nas mulheres e naqueles com menor nível socioeconômico, independentemente do centro e idade, reforçando a necessidade de maior investimento em saúde mental no Brasil, sem desconsiderar determinantes de gênero e socioeconômicos.

A pesar de que se reconozca que la depresión y ansiedad provoquen incapacidades, así como perjuicios laborales y problemas para los sistemas de salud, las investigaciones de base poblacional son escasas en Brasil. Este estudio evaluó la prevalencia de trastornos mentales en adolescentes, jóvenes y adultos, y su relación con características sociodemográficas en cinco cohortes de nacimiento (RPS), en Ribeirão Preto (São Paulo), Pelotas (Rio Grande do Sul) y São Luís (Maranhão), Brasil. Episodio depresivo, riesgo de suicidio, fobia social y trastorno de ansiedad generalizada se evaluaron usando el Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Se estimaron los intervalos de confianza bootstrap y las prevalencias fueron estratificadas por sexo y nivel socioeconómico en el programa R. Se incluyeron a 12.350 participantes de las cohortes. Un episodio actual depresivo mayor fue más prevalente en adolescentes de São Luís (15,8%; IC95%: 14,8-16,8) y en adultos de Ribeirão Preto (12,9%; IC95%: 12,0-13,9). Las mayores prevalencias para el riesgo de suicidio se produjeron en los adultos de Ribeirão Preto (13,7%; IC95%:12,7-14,7), fobia social y ansiedad generalizada en los jóvenes de Pelotas con 7% (IC95%: 6,3-7,7) y 16,5% (IC95%: 15,4-17,5), respectivamente. Las menores prevalencias de riesgo de suicidio se produjeron en los jóvenes de Pelotas (8,8%; IC95%: 8,0-9,6), fobia social en los jóvenes de Ribeirão Preto (1,8%; IC95%: 1,5-2,2) y ansiedad generalizada en los adolescentes de São Luís (3,5%; IC95%: 3,0-4,0). En general, los trastornos mentales fueron más prevalentes en las mujeres y en aquellos con menor nivel socioeconómico, independientemente del centro y edad, reforzando la necesidad de una mayor inversión en salud mental en Brasil, sin desconsiderar determinantes de género y socioeconómicos.