[Epidemiology of retinopathy of prematurity in public services from Argentina during 2008].
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.
Lomuto
Celia C
CC
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
Galina
Lidia
L
Brussa
Marina
M
Quiroga
Ana
A
Alda
Ernesto
E
Benítez
Alicia M
AM
Bouzas
Liliana
L
Dinerstein
N Alejandro
NA
Erpen
Norma
N
Falbo
Jorgelina
J
Manzitti
Julio
J
Marinaro
Silvia
S
Nieto
Ricardo
R
Sepúlveda
Teresa
T
Visintín
Patricia
P
D001118:Argentina; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies