Postural assessment of children with congenital Zika syndrome and caregivers in the home environment: a cross-sectional pilot study.

Abstract

Background: Children with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) present severe motor impairment that hinders their caregivers' positioning during activities of daily living (ADLs).

Objective: To assess the posture of children with CZS and their caregivers during ADLs in the home environment.

Design and setting: A cross-sectional pilot study conducted in Campina Grande (PB), Brazil.

Methods: Nine children with CZS (mean age = 36.77 ± 2.94 months) and their caregivers (n = 9, mean age = 27 years) were assessed. Data were collected at the support home of a center for children with microcephaly in Northeast of Brazil. For postural assessment, children and their caregivers were filmed while performing ADLs in the living room and kitchen of the support home.

Results: During the environmental interaction, all children predominantly maintained a sitting position, exhibiting neck and trunk asymmetry; 77.8% (n = 7) showed inadequate postures with elevated arms and shoulders, and none maintained the ankles in a neutral position with supported feet. During feeding, 88.9% (n = 8) of children were positioned on the lap of caregivers, 88.9% (n = 8) exhibited neck and trunk asymmetry, 66.7% (n = 6) displayed inadequate upper-limb posture, and none maintained their ankles in a neutral position. During this activity, 66.7% (n = 6) of caregivers presented with trunk and neck asymmetry, 66.7% (n = 6) did not provide support for the upper limbs, and 55.6% (n = 5) did not maintain their knees flexed at 90o.

Conclusions: Children with CZS and their caregivers present with inadequate postures during ADLs in the home environment, which may represent health risks.