Neural development disorders in arhuaco children

Alteraciones en el neurodesarrollo infantil del niño indígena arhuaco

The main aim of this study was to evaluate childhood neural development in the Arhuaco indigineous population in the preschool age group. The study was based on a global and overall assessment of specific neural development areas or processes, assessing four core aspects: gross motor skills, fine motor skills, audition and speech and personal and social skills, using a child development abbreviated scale designed by Nelson-Ortiz, validated in our country. The scale was applied to 55 children aged six years or less with no chronic diseases or comorbidities, in the towns of Nabusimake and Pueblo Bello, Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta, obtaining prior consent from their parents and the local indigenous authorities, in April 2009.

1. Figueiras AC, Neves de Souza IC, Ros VG, Venguigui Y. Manual para la vigilan­ cia del desarrollo infantil en el contexto AIEPI. Washington: OPS; 2006.
2. Stavenhagen, R. Los derechos indígenas: algunos problemas conceptuales. Nue­ va Antropología. 1992: 12 (43): 83-100.
3. Rocío Rl. Organización Panamericana de la salud. Crecer Sanitos. Estrategias, metodologías, e instrumentos para investigar y comprender la salud de los niños indígenas [monografía en Internet]. Washington: OPS;http://www.paho.org/spa­ nish/ad/fch/ca/si-crecersanitos.pdf
4. Lejarraga H. El fascinante proceso del desarrollo psicomotor infantil. Nestlé Nu­ trit. 2002 Dic.; 13.
5. Ortiz N. Escala abreviada de desarrollo. Bogotá: Ministerio de Salud; 1999.
6. Aguilar Palafox M, Fernández Ortega MA. Lactancia materna exclusiva. Rev Fac Med UNAM. 2007; 50(4):174-8.
7. Osario E, Torres-Sánchez L, Hernández MC, López Carrillo L, Schnaas L. Esti­ mulación en el hogar y desarrollo motor en niños mexicanos de 36 meses. Salud pública Méx. 2010 ene-feb; 52 (!): 14-22.