Sensorial function in children with congenital Zika syndrome: what is the relationship with motor function?

OBJECTIVE

To investigate sensory impairments in children with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) and the relationship with motor function.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional, analytical study of medical records of children with CZS who were assisted by a support center for children with microcephaly in northeastern Brazil. General data about the children and their caregivers were recorded. Data from the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88) score and Gross Motor Function Classification System classification were recorded for motor function assessment, and the Sensory Profile 2 score was recorded for sensory function.

RESULTS

A total of 32 children with a mean age of 53.4±10.8 months participated in the study. The GMFM-88 score was positively correlated with the total score of the Sensory Profile 2 (r=0.49, p=0.004) and with the scores for tactile (r=0.44, p=0.011), vestibular (r=0.41, p=0.019), and proprioceptive (r=0.35, p=0.045) systems. When adjusted for age, only children under 50 months old (n=16) presented these correlations (tactile: r=0.69, p=0.003, vestibular: r=0.74, p=0.001, and proprioceptive: r=0.63, p=0.009).

CONCLUSIONS

The tactile, vestibular, and proprioceptive systems were correlated with the gross motor function in children under 50 months old with CZS. These findings suggest the clinical relevance of considering both sensory and motor domains in the evaluation and care of children with CZS, supporting the need for early and integrated sensory-motor interventions.