ABSTRACT
Abstract Introduction Few studies have used eye tracking as a screening tool for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in preterm infants. Objectives To evaluate fixation time on social and non-social figures and percentage of preterm babies who gazed at the images. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of 31 preterm infants born weighing ≤ 2,000 g in which eye gaze was evaluated at 6 months of corrected age. Six boards with social and non-social figures were projected on a computer screen, successively, evaluating time and percentage of preterm babies who gazed at each board. The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) was answered at 18 months of corrected age. Results Preterm infants showed longer visual fixation time on social figures compared with non-social images, regardless of the position of the social figure on the board. Similar percentages of preterm infants gazed either at social or non-social figures, at social figures with a direct or an indirect look, and at the eyes or mouth of the social figures. No preterm infant screened positive on the M-CHAT. Conclusion At 6 months of corrected age, preterm infants show the ability to gaze in an eye-tracking test, with preference for social figures, suggesting that this tool could be useful as another screening instrument for ASD.
Resumo Introdução Poucos estudos utilizaram a varredura visual como ferramenta para rastreamento de transtorno do espectro do autismo (TEA) em bebês prematuros. Objetivos Avaliar bebês prematuros quanto ao o tempo de fixação de olhar em figuras sociais e não sociais e a porcentagem deles que olharam para as imagens. Métodos Este estudo transversal incluiu 31 bebês prematuros com ≤ 2.000 g ao nascer, cujo rastreamento visual foi avaliado aos 6 meses de idade corrigida. Seis pranchas com figuras sociais e não sociais foram projetadas em tela de computador, sucessivamente, avaliando-se o tempo e porcentagem de prematuros que olharam para cada prancha. O Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) foi respondido aos 18 meses de idade corrigida. Resultados Os bebês prematuros apresentaram maior tempo de fixação visual em figuras sociais do que não sociais, independentemente da posição da figura social na prancha. Porcentagens similares de prematuros olharam tanto para figuras sociais como para não sociais, para figuras sociais com olhar direto ou indireto, e para boca ou olhos das figuras sociais. Nenhum prematuro foi rastreado positivamente pelo M-CHAT. Conclusão Aos 6 meses de idade corrigida, prematuros apresentaram habilidade para varredura em teste de rastreamento visual, com preferência por figuras sociais, sugerindo que esta ferramenta pode ser útil como mais um instrumento para rastreamento de TEA.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Infant , Adult , Vision Disorders/diagnosis , Vision Tests/methods , Infant, Low Birth Weight , Infant, Premature , Cross-Sectional Studies , Eye Movement Measurements , Checklist , Autism Spectrum Disorder/diagnosisABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To compare thoracic musculoskeletal static alterations in adolescents born prematurely with those born at term and investigate neonatal and post-neonatal variables associated with thoracic alterations. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional study with 57 adolescents aged 10-15 years born prematurely and 57 adolescents born at term paired by gender and age. Photographs of the head and thorax in the front, back, and right side views were studied using a computer program. The two groups were compared in regards to: elevation of clavicles, elevation of shoulders, protrusion of the head, and anteroposterior and mediolateral thoracic length. Factor associated with thoracic disorders were evaluated by linear regression analysis. RESULTS: The Preterm group had mean gestational age of 32.0±2.8 weeks and the birth weight was 1462±338 and 3342±430 g for the Preterm and Term adolescents, respectively. Preterm adolescents had higher elevation of the left shoulder (22.7±5.4o vs. 20.6±5.3o;sim, p=0.038) and the right shoulder (22.2±4.4o vs. 18.5±5.7o; p<0.001). Smaller protrusion of the head (27.8±6.1o vs. 32.4±7.9o; p=0.008), mediolateral thoracic length (22.9±2.3 cm vs. 25.1±3.1 cm; p<0.001) and anteroposterior thoracic length (19.7±2.2 cm vs. 21.1±3.4 cm; p<0.001) were found in preterm adolescents. By multiple regression analysis, factors associated with higher shoulder elevation were birth weight <1500 g (p<0.001) and mechanical ventilation during neonatal period >5 days (p=0.009). CONCLUSION: Adolescents born prematurely presented greater thoracic musculoskeletal static alterations compared to those born at term. Factors associated with these alterations were: very low birth weight and longer duration of mechanical ventilation in the neonatal unit. .