Effect of Intensive Physiotherapy Training for Children With Congenital Zika Syndrome: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Gabriela Lopes Gama1, Melania Maria Ramos de Amorim2, Renan Alves da Silva Júnior2
1Professor Joaquim Amorim Neto Research Institute (IPESQ), Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil; UNIFACISA University Center, Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil.
Insights
Intensive physiotherapy, including suit therapy, improved or maintained motor function in children with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). This 1-year intervention showed significant gains in gross motor function without serious complications.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) is associated with significant motor deficits.
- Early and intensive rehabilitation is crucial for improving outcomes in affected children.
- Limited data exists on the efficacy of intensive physiotherapy protocols in CZS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of a structured, intensive physiotherapy program on the motor function of children with CZS.
- To assess the safety and feasibility of prolonged, high-intensity rehabilitation in this population.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cohort study involving 7 children (14-18 months) with CZS.
- A 1-year, 2-stage physiotherapy protocol including conventional therapy and suit therapy.
- Six evaluations of Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and body weight over the study period.
Main Results:
- Significant increases in overall GMFM scores were observed throughout the year compared to baseline.
- Improvements were noted in specific GMFM dimensions, including lying/rolling and sitting.
- Body weight remained stable, and the intervention was well-tolerated with minimal complications.
Conclusions:
- Intensive physiotherapy, including suit therapy, is a safe and effective intervention for enhancing motor function in children with CZS.
- The findings support the implementation of prolonged, high-intensity rehabilitation programs for this vulnerable group.
- Continued research is warranted to optimize therapeutic strategies for CZS.
Objective:
To investigate the effect of intensive physiotherapy training on the motor function of children with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS).
Design:
A retrospective cohort study.
Setting:
A support center for children with microcephaly.
Participants:
Children (N=7) aged 14 to 18 months old who were diagnosed with CZS and previously monitored more than 1 year.
Interventions:
A 2-stage protocol repeated uninterruptedly for 1 year. In the first stage, the children were submitted to 1 hour of conventional physiotherapy and 1 hour of suit therapy 5 times a week for 4 weeks. The second stage consisted of 1 hour of suit therapy 3 times a week for 2 weeks.
Main Outcome Measures:
Gross motor function measure (GMFM) and body weight.
Results:
Six evaluations were conducted approximately 3 months apart. An increase in the overall GMFM score was observed between the first and second (P=.046), first and third (P=.018), first and fourth (P=.018), first and fifth (P=.043), and first and sixth evaluations (P=.018). Differences in the scores of the individual GMFM dimensions were found only for dimension A (lying and rolling) between the first and fourth evaluations (P=.027) and for dimension B (sitting) between the first and third (P=.018), first and fourth (P=.046), and first and sixth evaluations (P=.027). No difference was found in body weight between the first and sixth evaluations (P=.009). During follow-up, only 1 child required hospitalization, and another had increased irritability.
Conclusions:
Children with CZS were able to perform 2 hours of motor physiotherapy daily with no serious complications, resulting in an increase or stabilization in GMFM scores.
