[Comprehension of social and economic vulnerability in the scenario of pediatrics nursing care].

Vulnerability factors that affect the environment where children and their families are can be translated as inadequate life conditions and development. This study aimed to understand nurses' perceptions of the influences of social and economic vulnerabilities upon the care given to children and their families within the environment of Pediatrics Admittance Units in a University Hospital from Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. This is a qualitative research with an exploratory and descriptive approach. The collection of information was performed with nine participants through individual semi-structured interviews, examined through Content Analysis technique. Three analytical categories have emerged. The one referring to the comprehension of the social and economic vulnerability concept was explored in this work. Results showed that whenever conditions of vulnerability are correctly identified the nursing professional has conditions of establishing actions that favor the healthy growth and development of the sick child and his or her family.