The Brazilian Amazon is known to be a region with high levels of mercury (Hg) in the environment and studies point to an association between high levels of natural mercury in the mother rock and the vast number of clandestine gold mines. Other studies already report the contamination of fish in this region, as well as high levels of Hg in biological material from environmentally exposed populations. On the other hand, this is one of the least developed regions of the planet and it is necessary to understand the vulnerability factors in these populations that may be intoxicated by this element. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the vulnerability factors in communities from Xingu River-Amazon basin probably exposed to Hg. A cross-selection study in two cities localized in Xingu River was conducted, and the sample contained was 268 individuals. sociodemographic questions, lifestyle, diet habits and health conditions were collated. The majority of the sample was female, between 30 and 59 years old, had less than 3 years of educational level and lived in the local of study more than 240 months. There was regular fish consumption (95.9%), principally carnivorous species (80.5%). The visual problem has a highest prevalence (43.3%) between the health problems and about the symptoms of Hg intoxication, memory loss (42.9%), weakness (35.1%), fatigue (34.3%), mood changes (28.7%) and difficulties in concentration (27.2%) was most reported. The female sex, age over 60, educational level below 3 years of study, did not had flush toilet, smoke and least one chronic non-communicable disease represent higher probability to had symptoms of Hg intoxication. Lack of access to health services, low education level and income evidence the susceptibility of this community to diseases and injuries. The vulnerable groups identified in this study should be a priority in public health and environmental health policies.

Introduction: Domestic violence is a social and public health problem and its rates are currently increasing. It is present in all social classes, ethnicities and educational levels. Objective: To analyse the actions done by health professionals who work in Basic Health Units (BHUs) to recognise cases of psychological violence against children. Methods: This is a qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study. It used an analysis of the thematic data content. Interviews were conducted with 24 professionals working in BHUs in a city in southern Brazil. Results: It was observed that physical symptoms are prioritised and there is an underestimation of mental health issues, especially those relating to psychological violence. Conclusions: It was identifi ed that professionals from the BHUs cannot intervene effectively because of the diffi culty in identifying cases of domestic violence and their lack of training for dealing with cases of violence against children.

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o perfil epidemiológico de recém-nascidos de Unidades de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal (UTIn) internados entre julho de 2017 e junho de 2018 de três hospitais universitários no extremo Sul do Brasil. Foi realizado um estudo observacional, prospectivo, descritivo e quantitativo, através da análise de prontuários médicos de UTIn de três hospitais universitários na cidade de Pelotas (2 hospitais) e Rio Grande, RS (1 hospital). Os dados coletados continham informações socioeconômicas e demográficas, condições de saúde materna, desfechos relativos ao parto e aos recém-nascidos (RNs) e a comparação entre os hospitais foi realizada através do teste Qui-quadrado, ou exato de Fisher, considerando o valor de p ≤ 0,05. Dentre as variáveis maternas analisadas, aquelas que tiveram diferenças significativas entre os hospitais foram: cor da pele, viver com companheiro, tipo de casa, doenças maternas ou em outros filhos, realização de pré-natale o uso de drogas durante a gestação. Já quanto as variáveis dos RN que apresentaram diferenças significativas entre os hospitais foram: baixo peso ao nascer, prematuridade, perímetro cefálico e doenças infecciosas no RN. O conhecimento do perfil epidemiológico de RNs oriundos de UTIn é de fundamental importância para o gerenciamento destas unidades de terapia intensiva, bem como para o acompanhamento mais efetivo dos egressos nestas Unidades

Crack cocaine is a psychotropic and neurotoxic drug with high prevalence of consumption, considerate a public health problem and identified as risk factors to human health. Crack cocaine use among women in reproductive age increased in few year and the literature of the neonatal exposure to this substance during pregnancy are limited. Thus, this critical review discusses the major newborn outcomes reported in original studies, highlighting neurologic abnormalities and malformations outcomes. Sixteen studies were included in this review. The main physiological outcome found in newborn exposure to crack cocaine during gestation were lower birth weight; preterm birth; growth restricted infants; lower 5-minute Apgar scores; small for gestational age; and, small head circumference and congenital malformations. There were several negative neurologic and outcomes were reported on the literature. Moreover, there were still no consensus and the main criticism in this area is the limited studies available. RESUMOO crack é uma droga psicotrópica e neurotóxica, com alta prevalência de consumo, considerado um problema de saúde pública e tido como fator de risco para a saúde humana. O uso de crack entre mulheres em idade reprodutiva aumentou em poucos anos e a literatura sobre a exposição neonatal a essa substância durante a gravidez é limitada. Assim, esta revisão crítica discute os principais desfechos neonatais relatados em estudos originais, destacando como desfechos as anormalidades neurológicas e as malformações. Dezesseis estudos foram incluídos nesta revisão. Os principais desfechos fisiológicos encontrados na exposição do recém-nascido ao crack durante a gestação foram menor peso ao nascer; nascimento prematuro; restrição de crescimento; menores escores de Apgar no 5º minuto; pequeno para a idade gestacional; menor circunferência da cabeça e malformações congênitas. Houve vários desfechos neurológicos negativos e os resultados foram relatados na literatura. Ainda assim, não houve consenso na literatura e as principais críticas nesta área são os limitados estudos disponíveis.Palavras-chave: drogas ilícitas, gestação, recém-nascido.

In this study, hematological and behavioral changes in Wistar rats exposed to soil collected from urban areas next to an industrial complex were investigated. Animals were exposed to soil samples placed at the bottom of cages for 4 days. After this period, behavioral parameters were measured by the open field test and the elevated plus-maze. Blood was collected to measure hematological parameters. The soil from the vicinity of the oil refining industry caused changes in hematological parameters and altered behavioral parameters in both tests. The soil from the vicinity of the petroleum refining industry and fertilizer industries increased the density of white blood cells and decreased exploratory activity in the exposed animals. The results demonstrate that contact with contaminated soils, even for short periods, can cause physiological damage in organisms and that special attention should be given to people who live under constant exposure to these soils.

Exceto onde especificado diferentemente, a matéria publicada neste periódico é licenciada sob forma de uma licença Creative Commons BY-NC 4.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate neurodevelopmental outcomes (motor development, nonverbal intelligence, and attention) in children with cyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD) compared with healthy children from a public hospital in southern Brazil. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with pediatric patients of both sexes: 37 children with cyanotic CHD and a control group with 38 healthy children. Parents/guardians undertook a questionnaire and the SNAP IV scale (to evaluate attention) was applied. Two instruments were applied to each child: the R-2 Non-Verbal Intelligence test and the motor development scale. To assess the factors associated with insufficient performance in the three fields of neurodevelopment, a Poisson regression analysis was performed with a robust estimate. Results: There were no significant differences between children with cyanotic CHD and the control group for any of the neurodevelopmental outcomes studied. Low socioeconomic class was a factor associated with worse performance on the intelligence test and inattention. Furthermore, age was a factor for performance on the intelligence test, while a greater number of siblings was a factor associated with worse performance on the attention test. Conclusions: Public policies regarding child health must involve prioritizing the improvement of families’ social conditions.

No abstract