Abstract:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between size at birth and mental health problems at 11 years of age in the 1993 Pelotas (Brazil) Birth Cohort Study. Newborns were weighed and measured, and anthropometric indices were calculated. At 11 years of age, mental health problems were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ).
Prevalence of mental health problems was 32%
(95%CI: 31-33). After adjusting for potential confounders, newborns with weight and body mass index (BMI) for age z-scores < -2 SD were at 27% 95%CI: 7-49) and 29% (95%CI: 10-51) greater risk, respectively, of developing mental health problems at age 11 years than those born with normal scores. Newborns with BMI and head circumference
for age z-scores > +2 SD were at 34%
(95%CI: 6-71) and 19% (95%CI: 1-40) greater risk, respectively, of developing mental health problems than those with normal scores. The results suggest that early factors that are reflected as size measurements at birth can cause mental health
problems later in life.
O objetivo foi avaliar a associação entre tamanho ao nascer e problemas de saúde mental aos 11 anos na Coorte de Nascimentos de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, de 1993. Foram pesados e medidos ao nascer
4.358 recém-nascidos. Avaliou-se problemas de saúde mental com o questionário de capacidades e dificuldades(Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire– SDQ). A prevalência de problemas de saúde mental
foi de 32% (IC95%: 31-33). Na análise ajustada, os 291 (6,7%) recém-nascidos com escore-z de peso/idade e os 268 (6,2%) com índice de massa corporal (IMC)/idade
< -2 DP tiveram, respectivamente, 27% (IC95%: 7-49) e 29% (IC95%: 10-51) maior risco de apresentar problemas de saúde mental aos 11 anos quando comparados
com aqueles com escore normal. Os 102 (2,43%)
recém-nascidos com escore-z de IMC e os 279 (6,4%)com perímetro cefálico/idade > +2 DP tiveram, respectivamente, 34% (IC95%: 6-71) e 19% (IC95%: 1-40) maior risco de apresentar esses problemas se comparados
com aqueles com escore normal. Os resultados
sugerem que fatores ocorridos na gestação e refletidos nas medidas de tamanho ao nascer podem ocasionar problemas de saúde mental em etapas tardias.
