A depressão materna e déficit cognitivo em crianças de baixa renda entre 6 e 36 meses: um estudo transversal

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the association of low socioeconomic level and maternal depression with a cognitive commitment in children aged 6 to 36 months in dyads (mother-child) attended at the University Hospital Professor Alberto Antunes – HUPAA. Method: This is a cross-sectional study. There was a sample of 69 dyads (motherchild). The participants were contacted in the HUPAA childcare and pediatrics sector. The data were evaluated by means of descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentage), logistic regression to establish which risk factors explain the presence/absence of cognitive impairment in the child, major depressive episode (MDE) and suicide risk and Odd Ratio (OR). Results: The children had a mean age of 21.9 months, the majority being male (66.7%). The mothers had a mean age of 26.3 years and the majority did not work outside (76.8%). The estimate of the proportion for cognitive impairment was 56.5% (95% CI: 44.8, 68.2), for MDE was 36.3% (95% CI: 24, 9, 47.6) and for SR was 21.8% (95% CI: 12.0, 31.5). In the logistic regression model, the risk factor that presented an independent association with cognitive impairment was the socioeconomic level (OR = 2.67, 95% CI = 1.00, 7.14, p = 0.049). The predictor variable that presented independent association with maternal MDE was the age of the child (OR = 3.03, 95% CI = 1.04, 8.75, p = 0.041). The risk factor that presented independent association with SR was maternal MDE (OR = 22.20, 95% CI = 4.38, 112.41, p = 0.000). Conclusions: The findings of this study reinforce the association of cognitive commitment with social vulnerability. The systematic use of surveillance and screening for risk factors and/or delays in child development, health promotion and early intervention in the integrating axis of child health care is recommended. Regarding maternal mental health, it is required to increase women's health care programs in social vulnerability in the gestational and postpartum period, in particular the treatment for depression and support systems to reduce the risk of suicide.