ResumoO objetivo do estudo foi avaliar indicadores de desenvolvimento de crianças nascidas pré-termo e comparar o desempenho nas faixas de 5 a 7 e 10 a 14 meses de idade corrigida. Foram relacionados indicadores do desenvolvimento com variáveis neonatais e do ambiente familiar e sexo. Trinta crianças foram avaliadas pelo Denver-II. As cuidadoras responderam à entrevista e o prontuário médico foi analisado. Na faixa de 5 a 7 meses, 20 % das crianças apresentaram risco para problemas de desenvolvimento e 27% de 10 a 14 meses. Houve diferença significativa entre as fases com mais risco na linguagem na faixa de 10 a 14 meses. As crianças nascidas com menor peso e idade gestacional, que permaneceram mais tempo hospitalizadas e com situações familiares adversas apresentaram mais problemas de desenvolvimento. Palavras-chave: Pré-termo; Muito baixo peso; Desenvolvimento; Saúde. AbstractThe aim of the study was to assess the development of children born preterm and to compare the performance in the ranges of 5-7 and 10-14 months of corrected age. The children's development indicators and the variables of neonatal period and familial environment were correlated. Thirty children were assessed by Denver-II. The caregivers were interviewed and the medical chart was examined. Twenty per cent of children presented risk for developmental problems at 5-7 months, and 27% at 10-14 months. There was statistical significant difference between ages in language, with high risk at 10-14. The children with lower birthweight, lower gestational age, longer time stay in the hospital, and with adverse family situations showed higher risk for developmental problems.

Abstract

Diesel exhaust is the major source of ultrafine particles released during traffic-related pollution. Subjects with chronic respiratory diseases are at greater risk for exacerbations during exposure to air pollution. This study evaluated the effects of subchronic exposure to a low-dose of diesel exhaust particles (DEP). Sixty male BALB/c mice were divided into two groups: (a) Saline: nasal instillation of saline (n = 30); and (b) DEP: nasal instillation of 30 microg of DEP/10 microl of saline (n = 30). Nasal instillations were performed 5 days a week, over 30 and 60 days. Animals were anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium (50 mg/kg intraperitoneal [i.p.]) and sacrificed by exsanguination. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was performed to evaluate the inflammatory cell count and the concentrations of the interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, and IL-13 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The gene expression of oligomeric mucus/gel-forming (Muc5ac) was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Histological analysis in the nasal septum and bronchioles was used to evaluate the bronchial and nasal epithelium thickness as well as the acidic and neutral nasal mucus content. The saline group (30 and 60 days) did not show any changes in any of the parameters. However, the instillation of DEP over 60 days increased the expression of Muc5ac in the lungs and the acid mucus content in the nose compared with the 30-day treatment, and it increased the total leukocytes in the BAL and the nasal epithelium thickness compared with saline for 60 days. Cytokines concentrations in the BAL were detectable, with no differences among the groups. Our data suggest that a low-dose of DEP over 60 days induces respiratory tract inflammation.

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare symptoms of anxiety and depression before and after psychological intervention in mothers of babies born preterm with very low birth weight, hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Fifty nine mothers, without psychiatric antecedents, were distributed into two groups according to the type of psychological intervention received. Group G1 included 36 mothers who received routine psychological treatment associated with initial structured intake using support materials (video and guidance manual). Group G2 included 23 mothers who received routine psychological intervention without support material. The STAI and BDI, respectively, were used to evaluate maternal indicators of anxiety and depression. The results revealed that both groups showed a reduction in levels of state or trait anxiety and depression after psychological intervention and discharge of the baby from the hospital. In regard to the emotional symptoms at a clinical level, a statistically significant reduction in the level of state-anxiety was verified in G1. The findings confirmed the need for psychological support for mothers of preterm infants and the use of materials focusing on «prematurity» for reduction of the situational anxiety on a clinical level.