Considering that the average age for diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is 4–5 years, testing screening methods for ASD risk in early infancy is a public health priority. This study aims to identify the risks for development of ASD in children born prematurely and hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and explore the association with pre-, peri- and postnatal factors. Methods: The children’s families were contacted by telephone when their child was between 18 and 24 months of age, to apply the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT). The sample consisted of 40 children (57.5% boys). M-CHAT screening revealed that 50% of the sample showed early signs of ASD. Although the frequency of delayed development was higher in boys, this difference was not statistically significant between the sexes (p = 0.11). Assessment of the association between perinatal conditions and early signs of autism in children hospitalized in an NICU exhibited no correlation between the factors analyzed (birth weight and type of delivery). The findings indicate a high risk of ASD in premature children, demonstrating no associations with gestational and neonatal variables or the hospitalization conditions of the NICUs investigated.

RESUMO Objetivo Analisar a autoeficácia da amamentação, no período de 180 dias, em mães de recém-nascidos prematuros e a termo, e conhecer os fatores que influenciam na prática do aleitamento materno exclusivo no período de recomendação exclusiva. Método Coorte realizado com 44 puérperas de uma maternidade pública, entre janeiro e outubro de 2018. As puérperas foram divididas em dois grupos: Grupo Prematuro e Grupo Termo. A Breastfeeding Self-efficacy Scale foi aplicada no pós-parto imediato, além de um questionário elaborado pelos autores para coleta de variáveis sociodemográficas e obstétricas. O monitoramento da continuidade do aleitamento materno foi feito no 30º, 120º e 180º dia de vida do neonato, via telefone. Para a análise estatística entre os grupos foi utilizado o Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Resultados Não houve diferença na pontuação da autoeficácia, nas características obstétricas e socioeconômicas entre os grupos, exceto para a variável renda familiar, (menor no Grupo Prematuro - p=0,031). O tipo de dieta foi diferente no 30º dia pós parto (p=0,023), com maior adesão ao aleitamento materno exclusivo no Grupo Prematuro. Não foi encontrada associação entre a autoeficácia da amamentação e a prática do aleitamento materno exclusivo no período de 180 dias. Conclusão Nesta amostra, a autoeficácia da amamentação não teve relação com a prática do aleitamento materno exclusivo no período de 180 dias em ambos os grupos. O grupo de prematuros apresentou menor renda familiar e maior adesão ao aleitamento materno exclusivo no 30º dia pós parto.

Purpose To analyze the breastfeeding self-efficacy in mothers of premature and full-term newborns, in the period of 180 days, and to know the social and obstetric factors that influence the practice of maintaining the exclusive breastfeeding in the period of exclusive recommendation. Methods Cohort with 44 mothers admitted to a public maternity hospital between January and October 2018. The mothers were divided into two groups: Premature and Full-term Groups. The Breastfeeding Self-efficacy Scale was applied in the immediate postpartum period, in addition to a questionnaire elaborated by the authors to collect sociodemographic and obstetric variables. The follow-up was done on the 30th, 120th and 180th days of the newborn’s life, by telephone. For the statistical analysis between the groups, the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used. Results There was no difference in the self-efficacy score, nor in the obstetric and socioeconomic characteristics between the groups, except for family income (lower in the Premature Group - p = 0.031). The diet type was different on the 30th day after delivery (p = 0.023), with greater adherence to the exclusive breastfeeding in the Premature Group. No association was found between breastfeeding self-efficacy and exclusive breastfeeding practice in the 180-day period. Conclusion In this sample, the breastfeeding self-efficacy was not related to the exclusive breastfeeding practice in the period of 180 days, in both groups. The premature group showed lower family income and greater adherence to exclusive breastfeeding on the 30th day postpartum.

A asfixia perinatal (AP) é uma das maiores causas de mortalidade neonatal, juntamente com a prematuridade (Fernandes et al., 2020). Desenvolve-se quando há hipoperfusão tecidual significativa e diminuição da oferta de oxigênio, decorrente das mais diversas etiologias durante o período periparto, o nascimento e nos primeiros minutos de vida (Fernandes et al., 2020)

Purpose: Visual acuity plays a role in mediating neurological development in infants by enabling the differentiation of shapes and discriminating objects. Given the rapid structural development of the brain in the first days of life, this aspect is particularly significant for preterm infants, who typically experience this developmental phase while hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Therefore, this study aimed to assess visual acuity thresholds in preterm infants during hospitalization and to evaluate possible correlations between visual acuity and clinical parameters. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in an NICU in Northeast Brazil. The visual acuity thresholds were tested using the Teller Acuity Cards II, comprised of 17 gray cards, with one 4 mm diameter peephole at the center and presented with about 35% reflectance. Preterm infants were positioned supine, at 30° elevation on the laps of their caregivers. The evaluator presented both sides of the cards and observed the eye fixation and reactions on both sides. Results: A total of 42 preterm infants with corrected gestational age between 30 to 36 weeks and 6 days were included. Visual acuity ranged from 0.23 to 0.64 cycle per degree. The mean visual acuity threshold was 0.32 cycles per degree for preterm infants at around 32 weeks of corrected gestational age. The visual acuity was not correlated with gestational age (p = 0.18), and neither were birth weight (p = 0.83) or duration of respiratory support (p = 0.98). However, days of phototherapy were inversely correlated with visual acuity (p = 0.04). Conclusions: Despite the challenges of hospitalization, it was possible to carry out a psychophysical test to assess visual acuity in preterm infants. The visual acuity showed no correlation with clinical parameters such as gestational age, birth weight, and duration of respiratory support. However, there was an inverse correlation between the number of days in phototherapy and visual acuity. Understanding the visual acuity levels in preterm infants during their NICU stay can contribute to tailoring interventions and care strategies that specifically address their visual developmental needs. This knowledge may guide healthcare professionals in optimizing the NICU environment to provide appropriate visual stimuli that support neurological development.