INFLUÊNCIA DA EXPOSIÇÃO PRÉ-NATAL A STORCH PARA O RISCO DE ATRASO MOTOR AVALIADO PELA SURVEY OF WELL-BEING OF YOUNG CHILDREN (SWYC- BR) EM LACTENTES DOS 6 AOS 9 MESES DE IDADE: ESTUDO DE COORTE EXPLORATÓRIO

Abstract

The STORCH complex encompasses infections such as syphilis, toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex. When acquired during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, these infections can cause low birth weight, malformations, and neurological alterations in the fetus and newborn. Given this scenario, pediatric physiotherapy is fundamental for clinical screening, with the SWYC BR being a validated instrument that comprehensively assesses child development, including motor, cognitive, language, behavioral, and family context aspects. Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize the clinical profile and development of infants exposed to STORCH infections. This is a prospective exploratory cohort study conducted between January 2024 and November 2025, with a total of 60 infants aged 6 to 9 months, residing in Campo Grande–MS, exposed to STORCH during gestation. These infants were recruited from the maternity ward of the University Hospital of UFMS. Data collection was carried out through medical records and application of the SWYC-BR to caregivers, followed by descriptive statistics. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (CAAE: 67923223.7.0000.0021). Among the infants evaluated, 36% presented complications during childbirth or prematurity. Regarding neonatal characteristics, the mean birth weight was 2,899 g (± 784 g); the mean gestational age was 39 weeks (± 3.7); and the mean head circumference was 28.1 cm (± 5.3). Regarding the infections analyzed, syphilis and toxoplasmosis were the most prevalent. The SWYC-BR presented a mean of 17.16 points (± 3.10), indicating a risk of motor and global developmental delay. At 6 months, no significant differences were observed in SWYC-BR scores between the groups exposed to STORCH and not exposed (p = 0.41). However, at 9 months, the exposed group showed lower performance in motor milestones compared to the unexposed group (p = 0.03). Thus, the findings suggest that STORCH infections, especially syphilis and toxoplasmosis, can impact child development in the first months of life. Finally, the SWYC-BR proved useful for early screening and monitoring, thus strengthening pediatric physiotherapy care and supporting multidisciplinary actions for prevention and rehabilitation.