title: [Development of premature children: caregivers' understanding according to the Bioecological Theory].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Understanding the conceptions of premature children caregivers on child development and associated factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  An exploratory-descriptive qualitative study of 12 families with children under three years of age. Interviews were submitted to thematic content analysis, systematized into the categories of Bioecological Theory of Human Development: Process, Person, Context and Time, and in the Functional Development category.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There are concerns about impairment in the current and future development of a Person/child defined as fragile as a result of premature birth (Time dimension), minimized by the scope of observable competencies such as motor skills. The Context, especially family and health services, and Proximal Processes, described as one-way caregiver interactions, are considered determinants of development. Functional Development is considered a natural consequence and result of education. The support network is crucial, supporting or limiting care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Concerns about the development mobilize caregivers to stimulate the premature child/person and requests family and healthcare assistance.
authors.affiliation: Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rayla Amaral
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Lemos
authors.affiliation: Universidade de São Paulo, Escola de Enfermagem, Departamento de Enfermagem Materno-Infantil e Psiquiátrica, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria de La Ó Ramallo
authors.initials: Mde L
authors.lastname: Veríssimo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult