SBP launches booklet on child neurodevelopment – 02/26/2024 – Equilíbrio

From the first laughs to “mamas”, “dadas” and “auaus”, which may sound disconnected to us, but can signal a family member or a puppy for younger children, the booklet released by SBP (Brazilian Society of Pediatrics) summarizes what the milestones are common to be identified in the development of children aged between 2 months and 5 years.

Translated in partnership with the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), the North American organization that formulated the initial booklet, the 28-page document seeks to guide parents and pediatricians in the early identification and treatment of possible signs of neurodevelopmental delay. .

“It’s all very didactic so that, in the event of any type of delay, early intervention is possible”, explains Libiana Arantes de Araújo, neuropediatrician and president of the scientific development department at SBP.

With the slogan “act early”, the material is part of a campaign that aims to raise awareness among parents and pediatricians to identify the first signs that something is not going well and require timely medical intervention. “If I don’t evaluate now, I miss the brain’s neuroplasticity period, which is ideal for the child to respond appropriately”, he adds.

The booklet, also translated with the help of the Sociedade Paraibana de Pediatria, shows what the common signs are at each stage of child development and what to expect at each stage, including warnings for each age group. If the child does not present or respond to the stimulus of at least one of the milestones presented for the corresponding age, this is already an indicator to present to the responsible pediatrician, according to the neuropediatrician.

The typical milestones for each age, however, are not exclusive to Brazil. This explains the translation of the material, according to Araújo. “The age at which a child has to walk is based on international scientific studies carried out with a large number of children. So we use the same standard as in other countries because we expect maximum child development potential”, he informs.

In addition to listing basic emotional, language, cognitive and physical milestones that every child must complete by the age of five, the material also presents tips on how to stimulate younger children. A consensus of the experts who prepared the document at all ages is the limit to exposure to tablets, smartphones and other electronic devices.

Age divisions are defined according to progress scales. Until 18 months of age, the child has very accelerated development, both motor and cognitive, explains Araújo. “Now, from 3 to 5 years old, not much changes. The child can already walk, run, so the level of new skills slows down”, he informs.

Until the age of two, the child is usually evaluated monthly by a specialist. This happens because after 30 months of life, any type of delay is unlikely if everything goes well in the first few months.

Recommended at nine, 18, 24 and 30 months of age, screening is another procedure highlighted in the material. It corresponds to a psychic and motor assessment of the child’s development. In 2017, the protocol was defined as law in the SUS (Unified Health System) for 18-month-old babies.

The booklet will be available for free download this Monday (26), from 12pm, on the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics website.

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