EATING PSYCHOFUNCTIONAL SYMPTOMS IN CHILDREN AND INDICATORS OF MATERNAL DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS (Atena Editora)

Abstract

Psychofunctional disorders are characterized as manifestations of a mainly somatic nature and of the child's behavior, without an apparent organic cause. In a period in which the capacity for verbal communication is still limited, the child uses non-verbal means of communication, through their body. Therefore, the present study aims to understand the manifestation of psychofunctional symptoms, specifically behavioral disorders, in babies aged 6 to 12 months being monitored in Primary Health Care (PHC). This is an observational, cross-sectional study with a quantitative-qualitative approach. 20 dyads participated in the study, made up of babies aged 6 to 12 months, undergoing routine pediatric follow-up at PHC, and their mothers, over 18 years of age. The instruments were applied: Sociodemographic Questionnaire, developed for the study, Baby Somatic Symptoms Questionnaire and Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS) in a single meeting, taking advantage of the mother and child going to the health unit for follow-up routine pediatric care. Subsequently, consultations were carried out on the medical records of babies whose mothers scored for depression on the EPDS scale. In general, mothers evaluated their children's eating and digestion positively, although more than half of them show behaviors of refusing food (60%), at least sometimes, and behaviors of putting inedible things in their mouths (80%). Four mothers (20%) presented scores indicative of depression, according to the criteria adopted. These mothers presented positive evaluations of their child's diet and digestion, but, at the same time, they presented eating and digestive complaints during the application of the questionnaire and throughout the follow-up at the health unit.