CHARACTERIZATION OF AT RISK INFANTS TREATED AT BASIC HEALTH UNITS IN THE NORTHWEST REGION OF THE CITY OF SANTOS-SP

Abstract

Introduction: Infants exposed to biological and environmental risks may have delayed motor and cognitive development. Objective: To characterize infants with biological and environmental risk factors treated at basic health units in the northwest region of Santos. Method: Forty infants between 0 and 24 months of both sexes, classified as at-risk newborns, participated in the study. Motor and cognitive development were assessed using the Child Development Milestones (Child’s Book). Pre, peri and postnatal data were obtained through an interview with the infant's guardian on the day of the consultation, and the socioeconomic level data was obtained through the socioeconomic questionnaire of the Brazilian Economic Classification Criteria. Data analysis was performed using the mean and standard deviation of numerical and nominal variables, and distribution of absolute frequency and percentile. Results: Forty  infants evaluated, 31 were born at term and 9 were preterm. Twenty- three infants were classified as developmentally adequate, 15 as developmental alert, and 2 as probable developmental delay. The socioeconomic level of the population assessed is concentrated in the C2 classification. Conclusion: Our study characterized most infants evaluated as having adequate development. Most infants presented economic classification C2 according to the Brazilian Economic Classification Criteria. Preterm infants, cesarean delivery and the presence of problems tend to be classified as developmentally alert.