Desastres naturais e seus impactos no desenvolvimento infantil na primeira infância: revisão integrativa

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the impacts of natural disasters on child development during early childhood in the scientific literature. To this end, an integrative review was conducted using the PubMed® and Virtual Health Library (VHL) databases. Initially, 86 articles were identified. However, inclusion criteria were applied that required full texts, freely available in Portuguese, English or Spanish, published between 2019 and 2024 and that answered the guiding question. After this screening, 15 articles were selected to compose the analysis. The results show that natural disasters affect child development in multiple dimensions. Among the main losses observed are impairments in motor development, emotional and psychological disorders, such as depression and anxiety, food insecurity and an increase in the incidence of infectious diseases. Furthermore, the study highlighted the need for early interventions and specific strategies in the areas of health, education and psychosocial support to mitigate the negative impacts on children. It was found that natural disasters have a broad and significant impact on child development, requiring an intersectoral approach that integrates health, education and social support. Therefore, the implementation of effective public policies is essential to protect children, with a focus on minimizing adverse impacts and fostering resilience. Measures such as creating support networks, training professionals and developing targeted programs are essential to reduce harm and promote the well-being of children in crisis contexts.