The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic and Social Distancing on Motor Function and Growth of Children with Congenital Zika Syndrome: A Prospective Cohort Study

ABSTRACT

This article describes the impact of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic on the motor function and growth of children with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). Children’s motor function, weight, height and joint range of movement (ROM) were evaluated before the onset of the pandemic and soon after their return to face-to-face activities at a rehabilitation center. Fifty-two children (Mean 46.07 months, SD 3.76 months) were assessed. Results showed a reduction in proportion of children with adequate body mass index (p = .04), an increase in proportion with adequate height (p < 0.001), deterioration in gross motor function in children with severe motor impairment (p < .01), and a reduction in the maximum ROM for shoulder (p < .01) and wrist flexion (p = .046), elbow (p = .01), knee (p = .03) and ankle extension (p < .01), and an increase in hip flexion (p = .04). The social distancing period appears to have contributed to important losses in motor function and joint mobility of children with CZS; however, this period of time appeared to have less impact on their growth.

KEYWORDS:

• Zika virus infection
• child development
• social distancing
• motor skills disorders

Acknowledgments

Authors would like to thank the entire research department at IPESQ, as well as the children for having participated in this study.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study received support from the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES.)/Ministry of Education (MEC) (grant no. 443372/2016-0), Technological Development (CNPq) (grant no. 440619/2016-5). This study was also supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Secretariat of Science, Technology and Strategic Supplies, Ministry of Health;CNPQ;