Screening for Neuropsychomotor and Social-Emotional Development in Children Under 24 Months of Age in the Brazilian Semi-Arid Region

Abstract

Objective: To screen children under 24 months of age for neuropsychomotor and social-emotional development in a municipality of the Brazilian semi-arid region, using the Survey of Well-Being of Young Children (SWYC) scale. Methods: This is a quantitative cross-sectional study with a non-probabilistic sample, involving children aged 1 to 24 months and their respective mothers, recruited from primary care services in the municipality of Picos, Piauí, Northeastern Brazil. The screening for neuropsychomotor and social-emotional development using the SWYC scale also provided information about the family context. In addition, we administered a questionnaire to assess the children’s demographic and socioeconomic factors. Descriptive data analysis was performed. Results: The sample consisted mostly of adult mothers (84.0%), with more than 8 years of schooling (83.3%), belonging to the C, D, and E socioeconomic classes (75.3%). The prevalence of suspected cases of delayed neuropsychomotor development and social-emotional changes was 12.7 and 42.2%, respectively. Conclusions: The results point to the existence of children at risk of delayed development, particularly in the social-emotional domain, reaffirming the need to adopt child development screening as a health service routine, with the implementation of appropriate intervention programs.

Nutritional Knowledge about Maternal and Newborn Health among Physiotherapists during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Minas Gerais, Brazil

“…It is known that during pregnancy, there is a considerable increase in metabolic demands for iron because of the pregnant woman’s physiological expansion of hematopoiesis [ 5 ]. This increase is also justified by the fetus’ growth, the need for hemoglobin formation, and the baby’s central nervous system development through the production of enzymes responsible for brain metabolism [ 17 ]. It has been estimated that iron deficiency can directly compromise maternal and fetal health, since its deficiency is related to increased maternal mortality and morbidity, premature birth, and low-birth-weight newborns [ 5 , 7 ].…”

“…Their incidence in pregnant women has been associated with newborn prematurity, neonatal infections, and cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurological disorders [ 7 , 9 , 11 , 12 , 13 ], with a high prevalence in low- and middle-income countries [ 14 ]. Promoting nutritional education in pre- and postnatal care routines can prevent neurological disorders in newborns [ 7 , 9 , 15 ], and future compromised functions in children’s static and dynamic balance, appendicular coordination, sensitivity, and motor coordination [ 16 , 17 ].…”

Comment on: Screening for neuropsychomotor and social-emotional development in children under 24 months of age in the Brazilian semi-arid region

“…The study by Souza et al highlighted the need for a better assessment of neuropsychomotor and socio-emotional development in children by means of an analysis of sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors and of the Survey of Wellbeing of Young Children (SWYC). 1 The results pointed to children at risk of developmental delay, especially in the socio-emotional domain, which emphasizes the importance of a screening focused on child development in primary care level to offer adequate care to patients showing early changes. 1 In addition, when it comes to the family environment, most children had good conditions for development, except for the absence of reading practice.…”

“…1 The results pointed to children at risk of developmental delay, especially in the socio-emotional domain, which emphasizes the importance of a screening focused on child development in primary care level to offer adequate care to patients showing early changes. 1 In addition, when it comes to the family environment, most children had good conditions for development, except for the absence of reading practice. Thus, the objective of this letter is to address the habit of reading as an important aspect in children's neuropsychomotor and socio-emotional development.…”

“…2,3 That said, it is clear that the screening and evaluation of child development are extremely relevant, as they interfere with the quality of life and social insertion capacity both in childhood and in adulthood. 1,5 However, this process are of complex interpretation, as it depends on a number of factors. Therefore, the implementation of campaigns aimed at families should be considered, in order to further strengthen socio-emotional training, ensuring that children have access to the means required to develop globally.…”