title: [Epidemiology of retinopathy of prematurity in public services from Argentina during 2008].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Increasing survival of preterm newborns and current care deficits result in high rates of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), affecting patients with higher birth weight (BW) and gestational age (GA) than those at developed countries; unusual cases (UC) and missed opportunities (MO) are reported.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe epidemiology of ROP during 2008 compared with the previous year. POPULATION, MATERIAL AND METHOD: Observational, descriptive and retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Preterm babies with BW < 1,500 g and/or < or = 32 w GA and > or = 1,500 g and/or 33-36 w who received oxygen therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  31 public services from 20/24 Provinces.
  
  
  METHODS
  BW, GA, ophthalmologic screening, age at 1st control, ROP Grade, treatment requirement, place of treatment and time of complete ROP screening.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Responses were obtained from 24/31 services from 16 Provinces (84,200 newborns) identifying 3,371 newborns at risk, 956 < 1,500 g BW. Screening was done in 90%; it was late in 6%. Neonatal discharge before complete ROP screening occurred in 93%. ROP rate was 11.93%; 26.25% in < 1,500 g BW. Treatment was required at 2.60%; of them, 7% were < 1,500 g BW; 20.3% were UC, one infant was a MO. Treatment need increased 20% at 2008 vs. 2007, without significant difference. Changes were not observed at median BW and GA and UC. Treatment in situ was 75% in 2008, similar to 2007.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Incidence of ROP in public hospitals of Argentina is worrisome. Rates in 2008 have not improved compared with 2007, expressing that criteria for prevention are not yet consolidated. Screening and access to treatment must improve.
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Trabajo Colaborativo Multicéntrico, Prevención de la ceguera en la infancia por retinopatía del prematuro, Dirección de Maternidad e Infancia, Ministerio de Salud de la Nación. clomuto44@yahoo.com.ar
authors.forename: Celia C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lomuto
authors.forename: Lidia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Galina
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brussa
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Quiroga
authors.forename: Ernesto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alda
authors.forename: Alicia M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Benítez
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bouzas
authors.forename: N Alejandro
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Dinerstein
authors.forename: Norma
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Erpen
authors.forename: Jorgelina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Falbo
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Manzitti
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marinaro
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nieto
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sepúlveda
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Visintín
mesh_terms: D001118:Argentina; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies