Assessment of school readiness and the importance of executive functions for learning / Avaliação da prontidão escolar e a importância das funções executivas para o aprendizado

ABSTRACT Objective: Considering the importance of the beginning of the academic trajectory for children to reach their full development, this work aims to evaluate the school readiness of preschool-age children and identify which factors influence these results, in order to contribute to the proposition of strategies that allow improving the teaching-learning process and child development. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study with 443 preschool children belonging to the West Region Cohort (ROC Cohort), from the public school system of the city of São Paulo. School readiness was assessed by the International Development and Early Learning Assessment (IDELA) tool. Non-parametric techniques were used for the correlation analysis between IDELA scores and sociodemographic and socioeconomic conditions: Spearman's parametric correlation, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: The children's mean age was 69 months (standard deviation — SD=2.8; ranging from 55 to 72 months) and most of them came from families with low socioeconomic level. Most children showed adequate readiness in the overall score (65%) and in most domains, except for emergent literacy, in which most (56.9%) were classified as "emergent". The highest percentage of insufficiency was identified in executive functions (4.1%), which showed a correlation only with the caregiver's education. Conclusions: Children had adequate school readiness scores, except for emergent literacy, but the insufficiency in executive functions may compromise the future schooling of these children. Thus, pedagogical proposals should consider these aspects for learning and pediatricians need to reinforce the habit of reading and playing games to stimulate child development.

RESUMO Objetivo: Considerando-se a importância do início da trajetória acadêmica para as crianças alcançarem o seu pleno potencial de desenvolvimento, este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar a prontidão escolar de crianças em idade pré-escolar e identificar que fatores influenciam esses resultados, com a finalidade de propor estratégias que possam melhorar o processo de ensino-aprendizagem e o desenvolvimento da criança. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, descritivo e analítico, com 443 pré-escolares pertencentes à Coorte da Região Oeste (Coorte ROC) da rede pública de ensino da cidade de São Paulo. A prontidão escolar foi avaliada pela ferramenta International Development and Early Learning Assessment (IDELA). Técnicas não paramétricas foram utilizadas para a análise de correlação entre escores de IDELA e as condições sociodemográficas e socioeconômicas: correlação paramétrica de Spearman, testes de Mann-Whitney e Kruskal-Wallis. Resultados: A média de idade das crianças foi de 69 meses (desvio padrão — DP=2,8; variando de 55 a 72 meses) e maioria era proveniente de famílias com baixo nível socioeconômico. A maioria das crianças apresentou prontidão adequada na pontuação geral (65%) e na maior parte dos domínios, com exceção da pré-escrita, na qual as crianças foram predominantemente (56,9%) classificadas como "emergentes". O maior percentual de insuficiência foi identificado nas funções executivas (4,1%), apresentando correlação apenas com a formação do cuidador. Conclusões: As crianças apresentaram escores adequados de prontidão escolar, exceto para a pré-escrita, mas a insuficiência nas funções executivas pode comprometer a escolaridade futura dessas crianças. Assim, as propostas pedagógicas devem considerar esses aspectos para a aprendizagem, e os pediatras precisam reforçar o hábito de ler e dos jogos e brincadeiras para estimular o desenvolvimento infantil.

Mother-infant bonding and postpartum depression during the COVID-19 pandemic — a risk for nurturing care and child development / Vínculo mãe-bebê e depressão pós-parto durante a pandemia de COVID-19 — um risco para o nurturing care e o desenvolvimento da criança

ABSTRACT Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic Increased the risk of impairing the mother-infant bonding. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the early bond established between mother and infant and postpartum depression (PPD) in pregnancies that occurred during the pandemic period, to identify the factors that may have influenced these outcomes and to verify if there was an association between bonding and probable PPD. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of postpartum women from a public maternity hospital in the city of São Paulo conducted from February to June 2021, involving 127 mother-baby dyads. The initial data were collected in the immediate postpartum period and between 21-45 days after birth, using a semi-structured questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, gestational and birth conditions, and baby characteristics; the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ) were used to evaluate PPD and bonding, respectively. Results: The presence of probable PPD and unplanned pregnancies were associated with higher PBQ score and risk to impaired bonding (p = 0.001 and p = 0.004, respectively). EPDS showed a high prevalence of PPD (29.1%) and was not associated with any Studied variable. Probably, this high prevalence of probable PPD was due to the context of insecurity secondary to the pandemic. Conclusions: We observed an increase in the prevalence of probable PPD and unplanned pregnancies during the first 18 months of the pandemic, which were associated with worse scores in mother-infant bonding. The impaired bond can affect the future development of children born during this period.

RESUMO Objetivo: A pandemia do COVID-19 aumentou o risco de o vínculo entre mãe-bebê ser prejudicado. Os objetivos deste estudo foram avaliar o vínculo mãe-bebê estabelecido precocemente e a depressão puerperal (DP) em gestações que ocorreram durante a pandemia, identificar os fatores que podem ter influenciado esses resultados e verificar se houve associação entre o vínculo e a provável depressão puerperal. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo transversal com puérperas de uma maternidade pública da cidade de São Paulo, no período de fevereiro a junho de 2021, envolvendo 127 díades mãe-bebê. Os dados foram obtidos no puerpério imediato e 21 a 45 dias após o parto, utilizando-se um questionário semiestruturado sobre as características sociodemográficas, as condições de gestação e nascimento e características do recém-nascido; a escala de depressão puerperal de Edimburgo (EPDS) e o questionário de vínculo pós-parto (PBQ) foram utilizados para avaliar a presença de provável DP e o vínculo mãe-bebê, respectivamente. Resultados: A presença de provável DP e as gestações não planejadas foram associadas a maiores escores no PBQ e no risco de vínculo prejudicado (p = 0,001 e p = 0,004, respectivamente). A escala de Edimburgo mostrou alta prevalência de risco de depressão puerperal (29,1%) e não foi associada a nenhuma variável estudada. Provavelmente, a alta prevalência de provável DP foi secundária ao contexto de insegurança decorrente da pandemia. Conclusões: Observamos aumento na prevalência da provável DP e das gestações não planejadas durante os primeiros 18 meses da pandemia, os quais estiveram associados a piores escores no vínculo mãe-bebê. O prejuízo no vínculo pode afetar o desenvolvimento futuro das crianças geradas durante esse período.

Differences in children and adolescents with SARS-CoV-2 infection: a cohort study in a Brazilian tertiary referral hospital

OBJECTIVES: To compare demographic/clinical/laboratory/treatments and outcomes among children and adolescents with laboratory-confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study that included patients diagnosed with pediatric COVID-19 (aged <18 years) between April 11, 2020 and April 22, 2021. During this period, 102/5,951 (1.7%) of all admissions occurred in neonates, children, and adolescents. Furthermore, 3,962 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) detection samples were processed in patients aged <18 years, and laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 occurred in 155 (4%) inpatients and outpatients. Six/155 pediatric patients were excluded from the study. Therefore, the final group included 149 children and adolescents (n=97 inpatients and 52 outpatients) with positive SARS-CoV-2 results. RESULTS: The frequencies of sore throat, anosmia, dysgeusia, headache, myalgia, nausea, lymphopenia, pre-existing chronic conditions, immunosuppressive conditions, and autoimmune diseases were significantly reduced in children and adolescents (p<0.05). Likewise, the frequencies of enoxaparin use (p=0.037), current immunosuppressant use (p=0.008), vasoactive agents (p=0.045), arterial hypotension (p<0.001), and shock (p=0.024) were significantly lower in children than in adolescents. Logistic regression analysis showed that adolescents with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 had increased odds ratios (ORs) for sore throat (OR 13.054; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.750-61.977; p=0.001), nausea (OR 8.875; 95% CI 1.660-47.446; p=0.011), and lymphopenia (OR 3.575; 95% CI 1.355-9.430; p=0.010), but also had less hospitalizations (OR 0.355; 95% CI 0.138-0.916; p=0.032). The additional logistic regression analysis on patients with preexisting chronic conditions (n=108) showed that death as an outcome was significantly associated with pediatric severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) (OR 22.300; 95% CI 2.341-212.421; p=0.007) and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) (OR 11.261; 95% CI 1.189-106. 581; p=0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Half of the laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases occurred in adolescents. Individuals belonging to this age group had an acute systemic involvement of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Pediatric SARS and MIS-C were the most important factors associated with the mortality rate in pediatric chronic conditions with COVID-19.

Pediatricians after residency: a survey of personal/professional data and issues / Pediatras após a residência médica: um questionário sobre dados e problemas pessoais/profissionais

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess personal, professional, medical, and scientific educational characteristics and issues reported by pediatricians. Methods: Cross-sectional study based on an online survey including 614 pediatricians who graduated in the last 15 years at a University Pediatric Department in Brazil. Results: The response rate was 331/614(54%). The majority were females (82%), the median age was 33 years (27-40) and median years of pediatric practice was 5 (1-13). High workload (>60 hours/week) occurred in 25% and 47% earned ≥15 minimum wages/month. The most work-related issues reported were long working hours, poor social life and a sedentary lifestyle (>50%). Pediatricians were further divided into two groups, according to years of pediatric clinical practice: group 1 (≤5 years) and group 2 (>5 years). The median of overall satisfaction with pediatric residency [8(0-10) vs. 9 (4-10); p=0.002] was significantly reduced in group 1. The frequencies of workload >60 hours, work on pediatric ward and pediatric intensive care were significantly higher in the first group (p<0.05). Regarding main issues related to clinical practice in the last year, long working hours (73 vs. 53%; p<0.001), poor social life (75 vs. 62%; p=0.018) and harassment (23 vs. 4%; p=0.003) were significantly higher in the first group. Conclusions: Very early career pediatricians (≤5 years) reported higher workload, lower income, work-related issues and different location of pediatric practice compared to early career pediatricians (>5 years). The overall satisfaction with pediatric residency was good, however, reduced in very early career pediatricians.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar características e problemas pessoais, profissionais, médicos e de educação científica reportados por pediatras. Métodos: Estudo transversal com base em uma pesquisa online, incluindo 614 pediatras formados nos últimos 15 anos no Departamento de Pediatria de uma universidade brasileira. Resultados: A taxa de resposta foi de 331/614 (54%). A maioria dos participantes era do sexo feminino (82%), a mediana de idade foi de 33 anos (27-40 anos) e a mediana de tempo de prática pediátrica foi de 5 anos (1-13). Jornada de trabalho elevada (>60 horas/semana) foi relatada por 25% dos entrevistados e 47% recebiam ≥15 salários mínimos/mês. Os problemas relacionados ao trabalho mais frequentes foram jornadas longas de trabalho, vida social insatisfatória e sedentarismo (>50%). Os pediatras foram divididos em dois grupos de acordo com os anos de prática clínica pediátrica: grupo 1 (≤5 anos) e grupo 2 (>5 anos). A mediana de satisfação geral com a residência pediátrica [8 (0-10) versus 9 (4-10); p=0,002] foi significativamente menor no grupo 1. As frequências de jornada de trabalho >60 horas, trabalho na enfermaria pediátrica e na terapia intensiva pediátrica foram significativamente maiores no primeiro grupo (p<0,05). Quanto aos principais problemas relacionados à prática clínica no ano anterior, jornadas longas de trabalho (73 versus 53%; p<0,001), vida social insatisfatória (75 versus 62%; p=0,018) e assédio (23 versus 4%; p=0,003) foram significativamente mais elevados no grupo 1. Conclusões: Pediatras em início de carreira (≤5 anos) relataram maior jornada de trabalho, menor renda, problemas relacionados ao trabalho e diferentes locais de trabalho em comparação com pediatras mais experientes (>5 anos). A satisfação geral com a residência pediátrica foi boa, porém menor em pediatras do primeiro grupo.

Assessment of access to primary health care among children and adolescents hospitalized due to avoidable conditions / Avaliação do acesso à atenção primária à saúde entre crianças e adolescentes internados por condições evitáveis

Introduction: Hospitalizations for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions (HACSC) are considered an indicator of the effectiveness of primary health care (PHC). High rates of HACSC represent problems in the access or the quality of health care. In Brazil, HACSC rates are high and there are few studies on the factors associated with it. Objective: To evaluate the access to PHC offered to children and adolescents hospitalized due to ACSC and analyze the conditioning factors. Method: Cross-sectional study with a quantitative and qualitative approach. Five hundred and one (501) users (guardians/caregivers) and 42 professionals of PHC units were interviewed over one year. Quantitative data were obtained using Primary Care Assessment Tool validated in Brazil (PCATool-Brazil), while qualitative data were collected by semi-structured interview. The independent variables were: age, maternal education, family income, type of diagnosis, and model of care offered, and the dependent variables were access and its components (accessibility and use of services). Results: Sixty-five percent (65.2%) of hospitalizations were ACSC. From the perspective of both users and professionals, access and its components presented low scores. Age, type of diagnosis, and model of care affected the results. Conclusion: The proportion of HACSC was high in this population. Access to services is inappropriate due to: barriers to access, appreciation of the emergency services, and attitude towards health needs. Professional attitudes and opinions reinforce inadequate ideas of users reflecting on the pattern of service use.

Resumo Introdução: internações por condições sensíveis à atenção primária (ICSAP) é um indicador da efetividade da atenção primária à saúde (APS). Altas taxas de ICSAP representam problemas no acesso e/ou na qualidade da APS oferecida. Verificam-se altas taxas dessas hospitalizações e poucos estudos sobre os fatores associados às ICSAP em nosso meio. Objetivo: avaliar o acesso à APS entre crianças e adolescentes com ICSAP e analisar os fatores condicionantes. Método: estudo de corte transversal quanti-qualitativo. Foram entrevistados 501 responsáveis por crianças internadas por ICSAP no período de um ano, usuárias de unidades básicas de saúde no município de São Paulo, e 42 profissionais. Os dados quantitativos foram obtidos com o Instrumento de Avaliação da Atenção Primária à Saúde (PCATool-Brasil), e os dados qualitativos, por entrevista semiestruturada. Variáveis independentes: idade, escolaridade materna, renda familiar, tipo de diagnóstico e modelo de atenção; variáveis dependentes: o acesso e seus componentes (acessibilidade e utilização de serviços). Resultados: sessenta e cinco por cento (65,2%) das hospitalizações foram ICSAP. Tanto os usuários como os profissionais atribuíram baixos escores para o acesso e seus componentes. A idade, o tipo de diagnóstico e o modelo de atenção influenciaram a avaliação dos usuários. Conclusão: a proporção de ICSAP foi alta na população estudada. O acesso aos serviços de APS está inadequado e está relacionado a: presença de barreiras de acesso, valorização dos serviços de urgência e atitude frente às necessidades de saúde. A postura e as opiniões dos profissionais reforçam os conceitos inadequados dos usuários, refletindo no padrão de utilização dos serviços.

A abordagem das dores recorrentes na infância / The approach of recurrent pain in children

A queixa de dores recorrentes é muito frequente na infância, sendo mais prevalentes a dor abdominal, a cefaleia e a dor em membros. O atendimento desses pacientes não é uma tarefa fácil, tanto pelo caráter vago e subjetivo do sintoma como pela complexidade de fatores que podem estar implicados em sua etiologia. O objetivo do presente artigo é apresentar uma proposta de abordagem dessas queixas de dores recorrentes em crianças...

Recurrent pain is very common in childhood, the most frequent are abdominal pain, headache and limb pain. The care of these patients is not an easy task, because of both the subjective and the vagueness of the symptom as well as the complexity of factors that may be implicated in its etiology. The aim of this paper is to present a proposal to address the children with recurrent pain...

Causes of hospitalization among children ages zero to nine years old in the city of São Paulo, Brazil

Introduction: The profile of child morbidity is an important parameter for defining and altering health policies. Studies about infant mortality are more numerous than those on morbidity, especially related to hospital admissions. The objective of this study is to describe the causes of admission in the public health system for children from zero to nine years of age in the city of São Paulo during the years 2002 to 2006 and compare these results to those from the national data. Method: Through a cross-sectional study, data were obtained from the Hospital Information System, which is available in the Information System of the Unified Health System - DATASUS. Results: Within the period, 16 percent of the total admissions corresponded to children from zero to nine years of age, with most of the children being younger than one year of age. In the city of São Paulo, the admission coefficient increased 11 percent, and in Brazil, it decreased 14 percent. Respiratory diseases were the main causes of hospitalization. In São Paulo, the second most frequent causes of admission were diseases that originated during the perinatal period (15.9 percent), and in Brazil, the second most frequent cause of admission was infectious-parasitic diseases (21.7 percent). Admissions for perinatal diseases increased 32 percent in São Paulo and 6 percent in Brazil. While hospitalizations for diarrhea decreased in Brazil, an increase was recorded in the city of São Paulo for children under five years old. Conclusions: The findings of this study show a paradoxical increase in the number of hospitalizations during an expansion of primary attention, indicating that the rise was not associated with a significant improvement in the quality of service.

Determinação do tamanho do fígado de crianças normais, entre 0 e 7 anos, por ultrassonografia / Sonographic determination of liver size in healthy newborns, infants and children under 7 years of age

OBJETIVO: Determinar o tamanho do fígado de crianças normais, entre 0 e 7 anos de idade, por ultrassonografia, correlacionando os valores obtidos com: idade, sexo, estatura, peso corporal e índice de massa corpórea. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram examinadas 584 crianças saudáveis, subdivididas em 11 grupos etários, sendo medidos o diâmetro crânio-caudal do lobo esquerdo, na linha médio-esternal, e o diâmetro crânio-caudal da superfície posterior do lobo direito, na linha hemiclavicular. Na análise estatística foram aplicados: a) coeficiente de correlação de Pearson (estudo de correlação); b) teste t de Student não-pareado (comparação das medidas entre os sexos); c) modelos de regressão não linear (nomogramas). RESULTADOS: O tamanho hepático apresentou aumento progressivo, do nascimento aos 7 anos de idade, proporcionalmente menor que o crescimento corporal, correlacionado com idade, estatura e peso corporal (r > 0,70), não havendo correlação com índice de massa corpórea (r < 0,11). Não se observou diferença consistente das medidas hepáticas em relação ao sexo. CONCLUSÃO: Valores do tamanho do fígado de crianças normais (entre 0 e 7 anos) foram determinados mediante aplicação de técnica padronizada, verificando-se forte correlação com a idade e indicadores antropométricos. Nomogramas demonstram as variações normais do tamanho hepático na população estudada, com crescimento diferenciado para cada lobo.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed at sonographically determining the liver size in healthy newborns, infants and children under 7 years of age, correlating results with age, sex, height, body weight and body mass index. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 584 healthy children subdivided into 11 age groups were evaluated with measurements of the left lobe craniocaudal diameter at the midsternal line, and the craniocaudal diameter of the right lobe posterior surface at the midclavicular line. The following tests were utilized for statistical analysis: a) Pearson's correlation coefficient (correlation study); b) non-paired Student's t-test (comparison of measures between sexes); c) nonlinear regression models (nomograms). RESULTS: The liver size presented a progressive growth from the birth up to the age of 7, proportionally lower than the body growth, in correlation with age, height and body weight (r > 0.70). Correlation with the body mass index was not observed (r < 0.11). There was no significant difference in liver size between male and female individuals. CONCLUSION: Liver size was sonographically determined in healthy children under the age of 7 by means of a standardized method, demonstrating a strong correlation with age and anthropometric indicators. Nomograms demonstrate the typical variations of the liver size in the population evaluated with a different growth pattern for each hepatic lobe.

Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome

The blue rubber nevus syndrome consists of multiple venous malformations in the skin and gastrointestinal tract associated with intestinal hemorrhage and iron deficiency anemia. Other organs may be involved. The causes of this syndrome are unknown. Its most common presentation is in the form of sporadic cases, but dominant autosomal inheritance has been described. It is a condition that affects both sexes equally, and its occurrence is rare in the black race. We present a case of this syndrome diagnosed in a 11-year-old patient. He had severe anemia and a venous swelling on the trunk. Similar lesions were found in the stomach, bowel, and on his foot. We emphasize the main clinical aspects: intestine, eyes, nasopharynx, parotids, lungs, liver, spleen, heart, brain, pleura, peritoneum, pericardium, skeletal muscles, bladder, and penis lesions, systemic complications that may occur to these patients which are thrombosis and calcification, as well as consumptive coagulopathy and thrombocytopenia that may occur within the nevi.