Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The present study aims to verify the occurrence of habituation of the blink reflex in full-term newborns; to examine whether there is an association between the occurrence of habituation and gender; to determine which would be the most promising neurobehavioral state to achieve this phenomenon and to establish the number of sound stimuli needed to provoke habituation. The population consisted of 100 newborns in the Early Detection of Infant Hearing Loss program of the Speech Therapy and Audiology Course at the Federal University of Santa Maria. The babies were born at the University Hospital of Santa Maria and were observed during one minute to establish their neurobehavioral state. For the habituation research, agogo bells were played in a sequence of up to 30 sound stimuli every two seconds at intensity close to 90 dB SPL. We considered habituation when the child stopped presenting the blink reflex for three consecutive times, and the absence of habituation was when the child presented the blink reflex along the trial. Data analysis was made with association and adherence Chi-square tests. From the investigated population of 100 neonates, 64% (n=64) presented habituation of the blink reflex and 36% (n=36) didn t. Regarding the 64 children that presented the blink reflex, 42,2% (n=27) were male and 57,8% (n=37), female. Interruption of response on the first 10 stimuli occurred in 51,6% (n=33); between stimulus 11 and 20 in 37,5% (n=24) and between stimulus 21 and 28 in 10,9% (n=7). It was observed that 12,5% (n=8) of the children in this group were in neurobehavioral state 1; 20,3% (n=13) in 2; 28,1% (n=18) in 3 and 39,1% (n=25) in 4. Among the group of newborns that didn t present habituation of the blink reflex 36,1% (n=13) were male and 63,9% (n=23) female; none of them was in neurobehavioral state 1; 30,6% (n=11) was in 2; 8,3% (n=3) was in 3 and 61,1% (n=22) was in neurobehavioral state 4. We concluded that 64% of the newborns revealed habituation of the blink reflex; there was no significant association between gender and the occurrence of habituation; when in neurobehavioral state 3, neonates were six times more likely to present habituation of the blink reflex than in other neurobehavioral states and that the habituation phenomenon was present, predominantly, on the first 20 stimuli. / Este estudo tem como objetivo verificar a ocorrência da habituação do reflexo cócleopalpebral em recém-nascidos a termo; verificar se há associação entre a ocorrência de habituação e gênero; determinar qual seria o estado neurocomportamental mais propício para a obtenção da habituação e determinar o número de estímulos sonoros necessários para provocar este fenômeno. A população foi constituída por 100 recém-nascidos atendidos no Programa Detecção precoce da deficiência auditiva infantil do Curso de Fonoaudiologia da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), nascidos no Hospital Universitário de Santa Maria (HUSM). Os recém-nascidos foram observados durante um minuto para estabelecer o estado neurocomportamental em que se encontravam. Para a pesquisa da habituação foi utilizado o instrumento agogô (cânula grande), que foi percutido numa seqüência de até 30 estímulos sonoros com intensidade aproximada de 90 dB NPS e com intervalo aproximado de dois segundos entre os estímulos. Considerou-se habituação quando a criança deixou de apresentar o reflexo cócleo-palpebral por três apresentações consecutivas, e ausência de habituação quando a criança apresentou reflexo cócleopalpebral ao longo dos 30 estímulos. A análise dos resultados foi feita através do teste Quiquadrado de associação e Qui-quadrado de aderência. Dos 100 neonatos estudados, 64% (n=64) manifestaram habituação do reflexo cócleo-palpebral e 36% (n=36) não manifestaram. Das crianças que habituaram, 42,2% (n=27) pertenciam ao gênero masculino e 57,8% (n=37) ao gênero feminino. A interrupção da resposta ocorreu nos primeiros 10 estímulos em 51,6% (n=33); entre 11 e 20 estímulos em 37,5% (n=24) e entre 21 e 28 estímulos em 10,9% (n=7). Verificou-se nas crianças deste grupo que 12,5% (n=8) encontravam-se no estado neurocomportamental 1; 20,3% (n=13) no 2; 28,1% (n=18) no 3 e 39,1% (n=25) no 4. Entre os recém-nascidos que não habituaram, 36,1% (n= 13) pertenciam ao gênero masculino e 63,9% (n=23) ao gênero feminino; nenhum estava no estado neurocomportamental 1; 30,6% (n=11) estava 2; 8,3% (n=3) no 3 e 61,1% (n=22) no 4. Com este estudo foi possível concluir que 64% dos recém-nascidos manifestaram habituação do RCP; não houve associação significativa entre a variável gênero e ocorrência de habituação; quando se encontravam no estado neurocomportamental 3 os recém-nascidos apresentaram chance seis vezes maior de habituar do que de não habituar; o fenômeno de habituação se fez presente, predominantemente, nos primeiros 20 estímulos.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a preventable cause of mental retardation and is the severest category within Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). As gestational alcohol exposure affects fetal cognitive functioning, children with FAS present with intellectual deficits. Unfortunately FASD prevalence rates are increasing amongst infants and school-going children. The main goal of this study was to compare the neurodevelopmental subscales of infants diagnosed with FAS, Partial FAS and non- FAS. Seventy-four infants with confirmed FAS, Partial FAS or Non- FAS diagnoses were assessed using the Griffiths Mental Developmental Scale. Development assessed at 7-12 and 17-29 months of age showed that, regardless of a FAS, PFAS or Non-FAS diagnosis, all infants performed weaker at their assessment at 17-29 months. The Subscales significantly affected included Personal-Social, Eye- Hand Coordination and Performance. The infants with FAS and PFAS displayed the most marked developmental delays. From this study it can be concluded that there are definite neurodevelopmental profiles for infant's diagnosed with FAS, PFAS and/or Non-FAS, highlighting the significant impact of prenatal alcohol exposure on various aspects of infant development. / Social work / M.Diac.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a preventable cause of mental retardation and is the severest category within Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). As gestational alcohol exposure affects fetal cognitive functioning, children with FAS present with intellectual deficits. Unfortunately FASD prevalence rates are increasing amongst infants and school-going children. The main goal of this study was to compare the neurodevelopmental subscales of infants diagnosed with FAS, Partial FAS and non- FAS. Seventy-four infants with confirmed FAS, Partial FAS or Non- FAS diagnoses were assessed using the Griffiths Mental Developmental Scale. Development assessed at 7-12 and 17-29 months of age showed that, regardless of a FAS, PFAS or Non-FAS diagnosis, all infants performed weaker at their assessment at 17-29 months. The Subscales significantly affected included Personal-Social, Eye- Hand Coordination and Performance. The infants with FAS and PFAS displayed the most marked developmental delays. From this study it can be concluded that there are definite neurodevelopmental profiles for infant's diagnosed with FAS, PFAS and/or Non-FAS, highlighting the significant impact of prenatal alcohol exposure on various aspects of infant development. / Social work / M.Diac.