Evolução da alimentação em uma coorte de crianças com possível síndrome da zika congênita

Abstract

Objective: To characterize the feeding of children with congenital alterations possibly related to prenatal infection by zika virus in the first year of life. To define the prevalence and average age of the duration of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and mixed (MBF), and to determine the age of introduction of complementary and familiar feeding, identifying the presence of eating difficulties. Methods: Descriptive, longitudinal and observational study, based on the analysis of data collected from medical records. The study population consisted of children with congenital alterations possibly related to prenatal infection by zika virus, monitoring in the two referral outpatient clinics. Results: The EBF for 6 months was found in 14.3% of the children, 42.9% did not receive exclusive breast milk at any time and 17.8% received an exclusive breast only in the first month of life. The mean duration in months of EBF was 3.2 months and MBF was 5.4 months. The mean age of introduction of complementary and family food was 7.1 months and 11.9 months, respectively. It was observed that 64.9% presented signs of food difficulties. Conclusion: Congenital zika syndrome is associated with a reduction in the prevalence of EBF and MBF. In addition, because of the neurological changes caused by this condition, many children presented eating difficulties, interfering with the adequate introduction of complementary and family food in some of them. The result of this research may inspire decisions that benefit many children with congenital syndrome caused by zika, such as the creation of new strategies for follow-up with early neuropsychomotor stimulation.