title: [Laser treatment for retinopathy of prematurity in 27 public services of Argentina].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Retinopathy of prematurity may lead to partial loss of vision and blindness; laser photocoagulation is the elective treatment, but universal access to it is not yet guaranteed in Argentina.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To estimate prevalence of children requiring laser for retinopathy, their clinical and demographic characteristics, place of origin and place of treatment. POPULATION, MATERIAL AND METHOD: Observational, descriptive and retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  premature newborns who required treatment at public services during 2008.
  
  
  METHODS
  Birth weight and gestational age, prognosis, unusual cases and missed opportunities.
  
  
  METHODS
  27 public services from 18/24 provinces.
  
  
  RESULTS
  235 patients who required treatment were recorded (Garrahan Hospital: 86; Gutiérrez Hospital: 45, and 104 from 25 other hospitals) from 77 public services and 13 private services from 22/24 provinces, where 210,720 babies born at the same period. Cases from Buenos Aires Province were referred mainly to Garrahan Hospital, all cases from Buenos Aires City and 2/3 from the rest of the country were treated in situ. Prognosis was defined as reserved at 15% and 5 missed opportunities occurred all in referred babies. Unusual cases were 27% of the total reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this population retinopathy prevalence was 1/900 birth in 2008. The proportion of unusual cases, reserved prognosis and missed opportunities was high. A national record and improved access to treatment in situ are urgently needed.
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Trabajo Colaborativo Multicéntrico: Prevención de la ceguera en la infancia por retinopatía del prematuro -ROP, 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; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D053685:Laser Therapy; D017150:Public Sector; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies