1,6Delio Tiago Martins Malaquias; 8José Antônio do Nascimento Neto; 2Giovana Casarini Yamashiro; 1Victoria Benicio Soares Miguel; 1Yasmin Hammoud; 1Wellington da Silva Pereira da Cunha; 3Rubens Rodrigues Tudela; 1Laíza Cavalcanti Rêgo; 1Keldna Karine da Silva Paiva; 4Julienne Fernanda Carvalho e Silva; 5Bruna Estefani Rocha de Brito; 1Samantha Regina Galo Sanches; 1Erica Miriam Fernandes Miranda Vao; 1José Cloves Alves de Souza Filho; 2Jaqueline de Carvalho Ferreira; 2Beatriz Randone Pereira; 1,7Juliana Fontes Beltran Paschoal; 9Fernanda Teixeira Borges; 10Thais Pinheiro Meira Barbosa; 11Adriana Pagno; 12Thiago Augusto Rochetti Bezerra
1Medical student – University of Ribeirão Preto – UNAERP – Guarujá/SP, Brazil.
2Medical student – Nove de Julho University – UNINOVE – São Bernardo do Campo/SP, Brazil.
3Medical student – Universidade São Judas Tadeu- USJ – Cubatão/SP, Brazil.
4Medical student – Universidad de La Integración de Las Américas – UNIDA Ciudad del Este/ Py.
5Medical student – Centro Universitário Univértix- Matipó-MG, Brazil.
6Graduated in Physiotherapy from the University of Mogi das Cruzes; Postgraduate in Respiratory Physiotherapy and Pediatric Intensive Care and Neonatology from the University of São Paulo, São Paulo/SP, Hospital Physiotherapy, Bahiana School of Medicine and Public Health. Salvador/BA, Brazil.
7PhD in Biotechnology. University of São Paulo (USP). São Paulo, Brazil.
8Medical student – Central University of Paraguay – Ciudad del Este/Py.
9Lecturer, Cruzeiro do Sul University, MSc and PhD from the Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil.
10Medical doctor. Petrópolis Medical School. Petrópolis, RJ, Brazil.
11Medical student – University of Southern Santa Catarina, Brazil.
12Phd. in Medical Sciences. Ribeirão Preto Medical Faculty SP, Brazil.
ABSTRACT:
Child mental health is recognized as essential for integral development, influencing children’s emotional, academic and social well-being. The increase in the prevalence of disorders such as anxiety and depression in childhood has stimulated research into specific pediatric criteria for early diagnosis, allowing for assertive interventions that can modify the clinical course of these conditions. Thus, standardized and culturally adapted instruments prove fundamental for the detection and management of symptoms, considering the particularities of children’s emotional and behavioural development. Objectives: The purpose of the study was to carry out a systematic literature review to identify, analyze and synthesize the pediatric criteria applied to child mental health in Brazil, with an emphasis on the early identification of anxiety and depression disorders. The specific objectives were: to map the scientific literature; to evaluate the effectiveness of the screening instruments; to identify gaps and challenges in the application of the criteria in the Brazilian context; to propose guidelines for clinical practice and public policies; and to promote the integration of interdisciplinary approaches. Methodology: The systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines, searching databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SciELO and LILACS. Controlled terms were used (e.g. “infant mental health”, “pediatric criteria”, “anxiety disorders”, “depression”, “Brazil”). The selection included original studies that addressed the early identification of disorders in children using pediatric criteria or instruments. Methodological quality was assessed using standardized tools (QUADAS-2) and the data extracted systematically, with narrative synthesis of the findings. Results: The studies analyzed show that early detection of anxiety and depression disorders can significantly improve prognosis, allowing for personalized interventions and a reduction in long-term complications. However, Brazil’s cultural diversity and socioeconomic disparities pose challenges to the standardization of diagnostic criteria, reflecting a variability in prevalence rates (10-25% for depression and 20-30% for anxiety). The integration of standardized protocols in primary care and school environments, together with the continuous training of professionals, is essential to improve the identification and management of these disorders. Conclusion: In summary, the systematic review confirms that the implementation of specific pediatric criteria and culturally adapted instruments is crucial for the early detection of mental disorders in childhood. The adoption of interdisciplinary approaches and the formulation of robust public policies are indispensable measures to mitigate the impacts of these disorders, promoting more effective interventions and contributing to the improvement of child mental health in Brazil.
KEYWORDS :
Child mental health; anxiety disorders; depression; early diagnosis; pediatric criteria; interdisciplinary intervention
REFERENCES :
1) ALMEIDA, A. et al.Validation of diagnostic instruments for child mental health. Revista de Pesquisa em Psicologia, Florianópolis, v. 16, n. 4, p. 200-215, 2019.
2) BARBOSA, A.; MENDES, B. Standardized instruments for screening emotional disorders in children.Revista Brasileira de Saúde Mental, Porto Alegre, v. 19, n. 3, p. 150-165, 2018.
3) CARVALHO, C. et al. Updates to diagnostic criteria for anxiety and depression disorders. Revista de Psiquiatria Atual, Rio de Janeiro, v. 10, n. 2, p. 75-90, 2019.
4) COSTA, C. et al. Early interventions and modification of the clinical course in childhood. Journal of Child Mental Health, Curitiba, v. 15, n. 3, p. 98-112, 2019.
5) FERREIRA, C.; LIMA, D. Pediatric criteria for the early diagnosis of mental disorders.Revista de Pediatria, Rio de Janeiro, v. 28, n. 4, p. 210-225, 2020.
6) FERREIRA, C. et al. Interaction between genetic and environmental factors in the manifestation of disorders.Revista de Genética e Saúde, Salvador, v. 11, n. 2, p. 90-105, 2017.
7) FERREIRA, C.; SOUSA, F. Interdisciplinary collaboration in children’s mental health. Revista de Integração em Saúde, São Paulo, v. 14, n. 3, p. 105-120, 2018.
8) GOMES, G.; PIRES, H. Depression in children: challenges in differentiating transitory states. Revista de Psicopatologia Infantil, Rio de Janeiro, v. 9, n. 3, p. 140-155, 2020.
9) GOMES, G. et al. Public policies and the child mental health care network. Revista de Políticas em Saúde, Brasília, v. 18, n. 1, p. 25-40, 2021.
10) LIMA, F.; RODRIGUES, H. Cultural adaptations in the application of diagnostic criteria in pediatrics. Journal of Cultural Child Psychiatry, Manaus, v. 8, n. 3, p. 123-137, 2021.
11) MARTINS, M. et al. Continuing education in pediatrics: challenges and strategies. Revista Brasileira de Educação Médica, São Paulo, v. 25, n. 1, p. 50-65, 2018.
12) MELO, L. et al. Early interventions in child anxiety: an integrated review. Revista de Terapia Infantil, Salvador, v. 14, n. 1, p. 55-70, 2018.
13) NUNES, N. et al. Family dynamics and emotional support in the prevention of mental disorders. Revista de Psicologia Familiar, Curitiba, v. 8, n. 4, p. 110-125, 2021.
14) OLIVEIRA, F. et al. Children’s mental health in Brazil: challenges and perspectives.
Revista Brasileira de Psicologia, São Paulo, v. 30, n. 2, p. 123-135, 2021.
15) OLIVEIRA, F.; COSTA, C. Analysis of screening instruments in child mental health. Revista Brasileira de Pediatria, São Paulo, v. 27, n. 1, p. 35-50, 2020.
16) PEREIRA, G. et al. Assessment of emotional and behavioral development in children. Revista de Saúde Infantil, Belo Horizonte, v. 22, n. 1, p. 45-60, 2018.
17) PINTO, P. et al. Evidence of early interventions in anxiety and depression disorders. Journal of Early Intervention, Porto Alegre, v. 12, n. 2, p. 85-100, 2021.
18) RODRIGUES, H. et al. Challenges in identifying mental disorders in adverse socioeconomic contexts. Revista de Psiquiatria e Saúde Mental, Fortaleza, v. 17, n. 1, p. 30-44, 2019.
19) RODRIGUES, H.; SILVA, S. Evolution of pediatric criteria and support networks. Revista de Avanços em Pediatria, Curitiba, v. 11, n. 2, p. 65-80, 2020.
20) SANTOS, I. et al. Variability of mood disorder indices in urban areas. Journal of Urban Mental Health, Recife, v. 10, n. 2, p. 100-115, 2020.
21) SANTOS, I. et al. Systematic review of diagnostic criteria in child mental health. Revista Brasileira de Saúde Mental, Porto Alegre, v. 19, n. 4, p. 175-190, 2022.
22) SIQUEIRA, S. et al. Subtle signs of anxiety in children: diagnostic challenges. Revista de Psiquiatria Infantil, São Paulo, v. 13, n. 1, p. 80-95, 2019.
23) SILVA, S. et al. Integration of mental health services in primary care. Revista de Saúde Pública, Brasília, v. 20, n. 3, p. 130-145, 2020.
24) SOUZA, J. et al. Differentiated approaches to the diagnosis of disorders in children. Cadernos de Psicologia, Brasília, v. 12, n. 2, p. 77-89, 2017.
25) VIEIRA, V. et al. Influence of the school environment on children’s mental health. Revista de Educação e Saúde, Porto Alegre, v. 7, n. 2, p. 60-75, 2018.
