scholarly journals Early Growth Parameters as Predictors of Developmental Delay among Children Conceived During the 2015–2016 Zika Virus Outbreak in Northeastern Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 155
Author(s):  
Charles E. Rose ◽  
Jeanne Bertolli ◽  
Jacob Elijah Attell ◽  
Cynthia A. Moore ◽  
Flavio Melo ◽  
...  

Background: Identifying infants with congenital infection for early intervention will likely be challenging in future Zika virus outbreaks. We investigated indicators of risk for developmental delay among children born with and without obvious manifestations of congenital Zika virus infection. Methods: We evaluated 120 children conceived during the 2015−2016 Zika virus outbreak in Paraíba, Brazil. We analyzed data from children at birth; ages 1−7 months and approximately 24 months, using medical records (i.e., anthropometric measurements diagnoses), medical evaluation (i.e., Zika/other laboratory tests, dysmorphic features), and parent report (seizures, developmental delay). We used a Bayesian modeling approach to identify predictors of developmental delay. Results: Head circumference (HC) and length at birth and rates of growth for HC and length at follow-up were consistent across domains of developmental delay; (e.g., for every 1 cm per month decrease in HC growth rate; there was a corresponding decrease in the gross motor z-score). Modeling results indicated that HC and length at birth, and follow-up HC and length rates of growth, were predictive of developmental delay. Conclusion: These findings suggest that accurate measurement and frequent monitoring of HC and length, especially in the first few months of life, may be useful for identifying children possibly congenitally exposed to Zika virus who could benefit from early intervention services.

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (9) ◽  
pp. 60-67
Author(s):  
Kristina M. Blaiser ◽  
Diane Behl

Telepractice is an increasingly popular service delivery model for serving individuals with communication disorders, particularly infants and toddlers who are Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) served under Part C Early Intervention programs (Behl, Houston, & Stredler-Brown, 2012). Recent studies have demonstrated that telepractice is effective for providing children who are DHH and their families with access to high quality early intervention services (Behl et al., 2016; Blaiser, Behl, Callow-Heusser, & White, 2013). While telepractice has grown in popularity, there continues to be a lack of formalized training opportunities to help providers become more familiar with telepractice (Behl & Kahn, 2015). This paper outlines online training courses for providers, families, and administrators of programs for children who are DHH. Recommendations for follow up training and staff support are included.


2021 ◽  
pp. 088307382098316
Author(s):  
Luane A. Gouvea ◽  
Marlos Martins ◽  
Daniela Vivacqua ◽  
Julia Rosseto ◽  
Giulia Lima ◽  
...  

Background: We aim to describe the long term follow-up of a cohort of children exposed in utero to the Zika virus. Methods: Descriptive study of a cohort of microcephalic children due to Zika virus. Logistic regression was used to evaluate variables associated with worse prognosis epilepsy. Results: We followed 28 children (15 females), with a median follow-up of 24 months (IQR = 12-28). During the follow-up, 1 infant died. The median head circumference at birth was 29 cm (IQR = 27-31). All presented a global developmental delay. The most frequent central nervous system abnormalities were on cortical development in 22 participants; dysgenesis of corpus callosum in 13; ventriculomegaly in 25; and calcifications in 24. A total of 9 presented ocular abnormalities, 4 auditory impairment. During follow-up, 12 presented with sleep disorders, 10 with irritability, and 23 with epilepsy (2 with generalized tonic-clonic, 3 with generalized tonic-clonic and spasms, 12 with spasms, 3 tonic and spasms, and 3 motor focal and spasms). The median age at the begin of the epilepsy was 4 months (IQR = 2-10), the median number of drugs used to control the epilepsy was 2 (IQR = 2-3). Maternal illicit drug use during pregnancy was associated with worse prognosis epilepsy (Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, West syndrome, or status epilepticus). A total of 19 presented with dysphagia, 10 children required gastrostomy. Conclusion: Children with microcephaly due to Zika virus presented with several complications during follow-up, as epilepsy, spastic diplegia, and global developmental delay.


2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandhya Chauhan ◽  
Prem Lochan Prasad ◽  
Preeti Lata Rai ◽  
Bhawana Khurana

Introduction: Early intervention services play a pivotal role in the management of children with developmental delays but the utilization of these is quite low. This study aims to explore the influence of parental perceptions on the utilization of these services.Material and Methods: This is a hospital based qualitative study of 31 parents having children with developmental delay in 2 or more domains who presented for the first time for diagnostic evaluation. A semi-structured questionnaire was used in the interviews, exploring various aspects of parental perceptions regarding the child’s disability and the services required for them.Results: Apart from factors like educational and socioeconomic status of parents, accessibility of the services there are other factors involved at the level of parents which influence their readiness and motivation to utilize a service, viz understanding of the total spectrum of a child’s disability by parents and how well their child care needs are fulfilled.Conclusion: The parents’ long term motivation for utilizing the services depends upon how well their idea of a futuristic goal for their child is being addressed.


1996 ◽  
Vol 77 (8) ◽  
pp. 477-487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lois A. Bosch

Recent legislation (P.L. 99–457, Part H) requires that parental needs be addressed in the service delivery to families of infants and toddlers with a developmental delay. The author reviews the historical, empirical, and conceptual factors in early intervention services as well as the literature on parental needs and sources of social support for parents of young children with developmental delays. Seven practice principles to guide social work practice in early intervention are presented. These principles include professional competence, addressing the instrumental and emotional needs of parents, and the need for parental involvement in service plans. Recommended practice principles also include focus on parental strengths, the ecological context of families. and consideration of cultural diversity.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Lakhan ◽  
A Mario ◽  
FN Qureshi ◽  
ML Hall

Background: Early intervention has been proven to be effective in facilitating development in children with developmental delay (DD). However, such service, subject of this study, is not available to DD children in most of India. Against the odds, therefore, one non-government organization (NGO) in the country, Ashagram Trust (AGT), decided to establish a service unit in a resource-poor geographical setting. This study aimed to examine the impact of early intervention provided to children with DD by Community Based Rehabilitation Workers (CBRWs) under supervision of professionals. Methods: Data analysis of pre- and -post scores on an early intervention tool (EIT). A total of 67 children (male 38, female 29), ages 6 through 36 months, ranging in DD from borderline (IQ<80) to a high level of DD, received early intervention services provided by community-based rehabilitation workers (CBRWs) under the supervision of professionals. A total of 46 children who stayed in compliance were analyzed. Results: A paired t-test was conducted. Overall results indicated significant improvement (pre-mean 22, sd – 3.9, post-mean 39, - 4.3, t-value – 6.40, p<0.0002, Pearson correlation 0.873, p<0.05) in children with DD in all four areas of development, motor, communication, cognitive and social. Conclusion: The study demonstrated positive outcome of early intervention in areas of motor, communication, cognitive and social development of children with DD. Early intervention services may be successfully provided by CBRWs under the supervision of trained professionals in resource-poor tribal areas of India, using low cost locally prepared therapeutic materials. Nepal Journal of Medical Sciences | Volume 02 | Number 02 | July-December 2013 | Page 149-155 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njms.v2i2.8966  


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ecaterina Gincota Bufteac ◽  
Guro L. Andersen ◽  
Larisa Spinei ◽  
Reidun Jahnsen

Abstract Abstract Aim: To study whether early intervention services (EI) and a follow-up program (FU) influence outcomes of children with cerebral palsy (CP) in Moldova. Methods: Records from 351 children with CP in Moldova born during 2009 and 2010 were retrieved from hospital and orphanage archives between 1 July 2016 and 30 September 2017. We investigated the proportion enrolled in EI and FU at the Early Intervention Centre Voinicel and at the Institute of Mother and Child in 2009-2012. Logistic regression analyses were applied to calculate crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for outcomes in children enrolled and not enrolled. Results: Among all children with CP, 166 (47%) were enrolled in EI and FU. Of the 51 children born extremely preterm (gestational age ≤31 weeks), 46 (90%) were enrolled, compared to 97 (39%) of the 250 children born at term. Among 110 non-walking children with CP, 82 (74%) were enrolled into EI and FU, compared to 84 (35%) of 241 able to walk. There was no difference in outcomes of cognition, communication, vision and hearing impairments between those enrolled or not enrolled in EI and FU. However, the subgroup analyses showed that the risk of contractures was five times higher among those not enrolled, regardless of GMFCS level (OR = 5.474, 95% CI 3.306–9.063, p <0.000). Conclusion: In Moldova, EI and FU seem to be offered mostly to extremely preterm and non-walking children with CP. The results indicate a decreased risk for contractures in these children.


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