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Gross Motor Function and Musculoskeletal Deformities in Children With Congenital Zika Virus Syndrome
Alessandro Uono Sanchez1, Altair Gustavo Saura Martins1, Ana Patricia Montebello Medeiros Bahé2
1Medical Science Center, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
Objectives:
The objective of the present study was to assess gross motor function and describe musculoskeletal deformities in patients diagnosed with Congenital zika syndrome (CZS).
Methods:
This is a cross-sectional study, carried out at the Association for Assistance of Disabled Children (AACD) in Pernambuco, Brazil, between June 2017 and April 2023. Medical records and assessments were carried out to describe musculoskeletal deformities and measure gross motor function, using the GMFM-88.
Results:
The study included 37 patients between 1 and 2 years old, 56.8% infected during the first trimester of pregnancy. The patients' mean GMFM value was 5.63 and standard deviation was 6.37. A moderate correlation was observed between head circumference at birth and the patients' current gross motor function (Pearson coeficient = 0.594) (p<0.001). We also observed 19 types of deformities, which were more prevalent in the lower limbs.
Conclusion:
CZS brings significant impairments to motor function and the musculoskeletal system. In this context, measuring head circumference at birth can serve as a predictor of impaired gross motor function in these children.
