Repercussões do tratamento de leucemia no desenvolvimento da criança no período pré-escolar.

Abstract

During the cancer treatment process, children stop attending school due to health conditions, such as side effects of medications and low immunity. In this context, the present study aimed to understand how the treatment for leukemia affects the development of children between 2 and 4 years old, who, according to Jean Piaget, are in the preoperative stage, characterized by symbolic representation, animistic thinking, oral language representation, self-centered thinking focused on oneself, pretend play, mental image and interaction with others through socialization. This is a field research, with a qualitative, descriptive approach. It was carried out at the Luís França Children’s Hospital, from September to November 2023. Data were collected through playful resources: storytelling and the game “Hospital Questions”. Semi-structured interviews were also applied with the children’s accompanying family members. All of the children were hospitalized and underwent chemotherapy procedures for the treatment of leukemia and suffer from side effects of the medications. The main results of the study pointed to the difficulties of continuing with school activities and the lack of activities that develop the motor, cognitive, social and affective fields within the hospital environment. There was little or no playful intervention by family members, the school and the multidisciplinary team, compromising the expected performance for the preoperative period. Therefore, the need for school intervention within the hospital environment is considered in cases of hospitalization for treatments that require prolonged admission periods. Keywords: Leukemia. Hospitalization. Child development. Preschool period.