Introdução: O cenário de maus tratos infantis no Brasil é uma realidade preocupante. Há fortes evidências em estudos realizados nas últimas décadas sobre o quanto as experiências vivenciadas na primeira infância são fundamentais na construção da saúde integral dos indivíduos. Os cuidados maternos se convertem no “ambiente” que pode interferir de forma significativa no alicerce que embasa o desenvolvimento infantil. Objetivos: Este trabalho buscou compreender como o ambiente, em termos de cuidado materno, pode impactar o desenvolvimento neurofisiológico e psíquico infantil, reunindo-se a teoria do pediatra e psicanalista Donald W. Winnicott (1896 - 1971) aos achados da neurociência, em especial, da epigenética. Método: Revisão narrativa da literatura, tendo como bases PubMed, Scielo, Google Acadêmico, livros e relatórios de Organizações Internacionais. Utilizou-se como descritores as palavras-chave epigenética, neurodesenvolvimento e cuidado materno. Resultados: Pessoas com histórico de maus tratos, abuso ou negligência na infância apresentaram alterações estruturais como volume do hipocampo, corpo caloso e córtex pré-frontal reduzidos, atividade e volume da amígdala aumentados. Esses fatores podem influenciar de modo decisivo o desenvolvimento cerebral, levando a alterações significativas nos sistemas regulatórios fisiológicos, possibilitando o desenvolvimento de doenças e transtornos mentais ao longo da vida. Conclusões: Os resultados das pesquisas realizadas pelas neurociências apontam para o possível comprometimento da saúde física, mental e psíquica dos indivíduos que sofrem maus-tratos e negligência na infância. Portanto, este estudo considera a fundamentação científica da teoria de Donald W. Winnicott, que enfatiza a importância de se fornecer às crianças um ambiente de cuidados, estímulos e acolhimento na primeira infância. Como citar conforme a ABNT: MADUREIRA, M. R. B.; RIBEIRO, A. M.; ESTADELLA, D. Os impactos do cuidado materno no neurodesenvolvimento e desenvolvimento psíquico infantil. Práticas e Cuidado: Revista de Saúde Coletiva, v. 5, p. e16548, 2024. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.13850783 Disponível em: https://revistas.uneb.br/index.php/saudecoletiva/article/view/16548

Introduction: The scenario of child abuse in Brazil is a worrying reality. There is strong evidence from studies carried out over the last few decades that early childhood experiences are fundamental in building the integral health of individuals. Maternal care becomes the "environment" that can significantly interfere with the foundation that underpins child development. Objectives: This study sought to understand how the environment, in terms of maternal care, can impact on children's neurophysiological and psychological development, bringing together the theory of pediatrician and psychoanalyst Donald W. Winnicott (1896 - 1971) with the findings of neuroscience, especially epigenetics. Method: Narrative literature review based on PubMed, Scielo, Google Scholar, books and reports from international organizations. The keywords epigenetics, neurodevelopment and maternal care were used as descriptors. Results: People with a history of maltreatment, abuse or neglect in childhood showed structural alterations such as reduced volume of the hippocampus, corpus callosum and prefrontal cortex, and increased activity and volume of the amygdala. These factors can have a decisive influence on brain development, leading to significant changes in physiological regulatory systems, enabling the development of mental illnesses and disorders throughout life. Conclusions: The results of neuroscience research point to the possible impairment of the physical, mental and psychological health of individuals who suffer abuse and neglect during childhood. Therefore, this study considers the scientific basis of Donald W. Winnicott's theory, which emphasizes the importance of providing children with a caring, stimulating and welcoming environment in early childhood.

Introduction: The scenario of child abuse in Brazil is a worrying reality. There is strong evidence from studies carried out over the last few decades that early childhood experiences are fundamental in building the integral health of individuals. Maternal care becomes the "environment" that can significantly interfere with the foundation that underpins child development. Objectives: This study sought to understand how the environment, in terms of maternal care, can impact on children's neurophysiological and psychological development, bringing together the theory of pediatrician and psychoanalyst Donald W. Winnicott (1896 - 1971) with the findings of neuroscience, especially epigenetics. Method: Narrative literature review based on PubMed, Scielo, Google Scholar, books and reports from international organizations. The keywords epigenetics, neurodevelopment and maternal care were used as descriptors. Results: People with a history of maltreatment, abuse or neglect in childhood showed structural alterations such as reduced volume of the hippocampus, corpus callosum and prefrontal cortex, and increased activity and volume of the amygdala. These factors can have a decisive influence on brain development, leading to significant changes in physiological regulatory systems, enabling the development of mental illnesses and disorders throughout life. Conclusions: The results of neuroscience research point to the possible impairment of the physical, mental and psychological health of individuals who suffer abuse and neglect during childhood. Therefore, this study considers the scientific basis of Donald W. Winnicott's theory, which emphasizes the importance of providing children with a caring, stimulating and welcoming environment in early childhood.