Early intervention and diagnosis in paediatric neurodevelopment defects in Brazil

The trend in childhood disability has shifted over recent decades from physical and medical conditions to neurodevelopmental and behavioural disorders. Although long-term trends in paediatric neurodevelopment disorders have been difficult to track, it is widely believed that the prevalence of children with neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly autism and ADHD, is increasing.

A report was produced and disseminated to UK and Brazilian stakeholders with key recommendations of next steps in addressing the diagnosis and early intervention of paediatric neurodevelopmental disorders in Brazil.

The report can be downloaded from the downloads tab on the right hand side of this page or by clicking on this image.

Neurodevelopment is a complex process and disorders arise from a multitude of genetic, environmental and sociocultural factors. Thus, diagnostics and interventions are likely to vary between countries where demographics, health services and social culture all differ. The global burden of neurological disorders is underestimated and large numbers of children are now displaying neurodevelopmental disabilities.

However, research and medical progression in the field of paediatric disability is lagging and neurological services and resources are disproportionately scarce particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

The main objective of this workshop was to consider the burden of neurodevelopmental defects in children in Brazil, discuss strategies for early intervention programmes and to address the challenges facing the translation of research into paediatric healthcare.

The workshop brought together experts across Brazil, the UK and other countries to better understand the epidemiology, genetics and nature of neurodevelopment disorders in Brazil along with the latest evidence on brain neuroplasticity bringing together both human and animal models as well as basic and clinical science.  The workshop also investigated research and the future in the post-zika era in Brazil as well as current public health policies to cope with paediatric neurodevelopment defects.

Click here to find out more about our other GCRF workshops and read the workshop reports.

This workshop is funded by the Global Challenges Research Fund that aims to support cutting-edge research that addresses the challenges faced by developing countries. Visit our GCRF webpage to read more about the fund. 

The organisation of this workshop was overseen by a steering committee based in both Brazil and the UK. The steering committee members were:

Co-chairs

• Professor Maria Elisabeth Lopes Moreira, Senior Pediatrics Researcher and Professor of Neonatal Growth and Nutrition, National Institute of Women’s Health
• Professor David Edwards FMedSci, Chair in Paediatrics and Neonatal Medicine, Kings College London

Members

• Dr Ana Maria Magalhães Costa, Medical Doctor, National Institute of Women, Children and Adolescents Health
• Dr Andrea Zin, Paediatric Ophthalmologist, Fernandes Figueira Institute
• Dr Fernanda Tovar Moll, Assistant Professor, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
• Dr Melissa Gladstone, Senior Lecturer in Paediatric Neurodisability, University of Liverpool