Clinical characteristics of children with congenital Zika syndrome: a case series.

Background: The congenital Zika syndrome involves structural brain changes, including ventriculomegaly, thin cerebral cortices, abnormal gyral pattern, cortical malformations, hypoplasia of the corpus callosum, myelination delay, subcortical diffuse calcifications, brainstem hypoplasia, and microcephaly in newborns.

Objective: This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of children with congenital Zika syndrome; to compare the outcomes of infants infected in the first (1T, n=20) and second trimesters of pregnancy (2T, n=11); to investigate correlations between birth weight, birth and follow-up head circumference, birth gestational age, and gross motor scores.

Methods: Participants were evaluated with Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) and part A of the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-A).

Functional skills and caregiver assistance of Brazilian children and adolescents with Down syndrome.

Background: Research into the evolution of the functional performance of children and adolescents with DS enables parents and professionals involved in their follow-up to promote their development.

Objective: To evaluate the functional abilities of children and adolescents with Down syndrome and the assistance offered by their parents/caregivers.

Method: A cross-sectional study, with 100 children and adolescents with DS whom parents or caregivers were interviewed to complete the Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI).

The general movement assessment in non-European low- and middle-income countries.

Abnormal general movements are among the most reliable markers for cerebral palsy. General movements are part of the spontaneous motor repertoire and are present from early fetal life until the end of the first half year after term. In addition to its high sensitivity (98%) and specificity (91%), the assessment of general movements is non-invasive and time- and cost-efficient.

The motor repertoire in 3- to 5-month old infants with Down syndrome.

Background: Even though Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal cause of intellectual disability, studies on early development are scarce.

Aim: To describe movements and postures in 3- to 5-month-old infants with Down syndrome and assess the relation between pre- and perinatal risk factors and the eventual motor performance.

Methods And Procedures: Exploratory study; 47 infants with Down syndrome (26 males, 27 infants born preterm, 22 infants with congenital heart disease) were videoed at 10-19 weeks post-term (median=14 weeks).

Motor development of infants exposed to maternal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but not infected.

Background: To assess the motor development of infants exposed to maternal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Methods: Thirty infants were assessed in the period from November 2009 to March 2010 at the AIDS Reference and Training Centre, in São Paulo, Brazil. The assessment instrument used in the research was the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS).

Verbal and visual stimulation effects on rectus femoris and biceps femoris muscles during isometric and concentric.

Background: Coactivation may be both desirable (injury prevention) or undesirable (strength measurement). In this context, different styles of muscle strength stimulus have being investigated. In this study we evaluated the effects of verbal and visual stimulation on rectus femoris and biceps femoris muscles contraction during isometric and concentric.

Involvement of the atrial natriuretic peptide in cardiovascular pathophysiology and its relationship with exercise.

In this minireview we describe the involvement of the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in cardiovascular pathophysiology and exercise. The ANP has a broad homeostatic role and exerts complex effects on the cardio-circulatory hemodynamics, it is produced by the left atrium and has a key role in regulating sodium and water balance in mammals and humans. The dominant stimulus for its release is atrial wall tension, commonly caused by exercise.