Factors Associated with Behavioral Disorders in Children with Congenital Zika Syndrome and Their Families—A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

The Zika virus was responsible for an outbreak between 2015 and 2016 in Brazil: an alarming public health problem of international relevance. The Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) is often associated with manifestations that are responsible for cognitive and motor development delays and behavioral disorders. Thus, we aimed to characterize the clinical-epidemiological and familial context of those children and to identify factors associated with the risk of behavioral disorders using the Survey of Well-Being of Young Children questionnaire (SWYC). In total, 52 children diagnosed with CZS were evaluated. Logistic regressions were employed to assess predictive variables for behavioral alteration. Eighteen (35%) of the children presented a risk of behavioral alteration. Children born normocephalic were 36-fold more likely to present behavioral alteration (95% CI: 3.82 to 337.92, p = 0.002). Children with hearing and visual impairments showed reduced risks. In total, 35% percent of families reported food insecurity and 21% were at risk for maternal depression. Our findings suggest better social interactions and conditions to externalize reactions for children with CZS born normocephalic. The continuous assessment of these children and families may identify conditions associated with behavioral alteration and psychosocial vulnerabilities that help in decision-making, therefore optimizing patient–family interactions.

“I Am Afraid of Positioning my Baby in Prone”: Beliefs and Knowledge about Tummy Time Practice

“…Those who did not complete the survey of well-being of young children (SWYC) questionnaire were excluded. Although there are several instruments available for identifying signs of risk for developmental delays, the SWYC is particularly advantageous due to its ease of use as a first-line screening tool and its ability to assess children following age-specific domains [ 22 ].…”