Desfechos multidimensionais na microcefalia associada ao vírus Zica : desenvolvimento cognitivo, aspectos comportamentais e sobrecarga do cuidado em diferentes contextos

Abstract

Microcephaly, a condition characterized by a head circumference smaller than expected for sex and gestational age, can result from the Zika virus (ZIKV) or other etiologies, affecting multiple dimensions of child development. This study combined findings from three complementary studies. The first involved 33 children aged 5 to 7 years, divided into three groups (microcephaly due to ZIKV, microcephaly due to other causes, and typical children). They were assessed for temperament, functionality, and gross motor strength using the Children's Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ), the International Classification of Functioning (ICF), and the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). The results indicated a significant impact of microcephaly, regardless of etiology, on physical, emotional, and behavioral aspects. In the second study, 11 children with microcephaly were monitored between 2019 and 2023, revealing significant differences in the Negative Affect and Effortful Control domains of the CBQ-SF, with worsening during the COVID-19 pandemic, associated with reduced social interactions and the interruption of essential therapies. In the third study, reports from informal caregivers revealed high burden and poor quality of life, highlighting the psychosocial impact of continuous care. The findings reinforce the need for public policies that ensure the continuity of multidisciplinary interventions and support for caregivers, even in social isolation settings, aiming to mitigate harm to child development and family well-being.