title: Congenital cataract screening in maternity wards is effective: evaluation of the Paediatric Cataract Register of Sweden.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study which eye-screening protocol prevails in Swedish maternity/neonatal wards, evaluate efficacy in a prospective study and compare results with earlier Swedish retrospective results.
  
  
  METHODS
  Surveys were sent in 2006 to maternity/neonatal and women's health departments regarding screening policy. Response frequency was 96% (122/127). Data were derived from the Paediatric Cataract Register (PECARE), Sweden. All Swedish children diagnosed with congenital cataract and operated on before 1 year of age between January 2007 and December 2009 were included. Statistical comparison with earlier retrospective results was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eye screening is a routine protocol at a rate of 90% of Swedish maternity wards. Sixty-one children were included in the study. An increase was shown in case referrals from maternity wards compared to 10 years ago (64% vs. 50%). Detection was performed within 6 weeks of age in 75% of the cases. A significant difference between the probabilities of early referral (0.38; p < 0.001, < 6 weeks of age) and early surgery (0.36; p < 0.001) (PECARE) was found in comparison with the historical data of no maternity-ward screening. Well-baby clinics were instrumental in early detection, as well.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Eye screening in maternity wards is effective. Clear Swedish directives are to be preferred.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden. gunilla.magnusson@vgregion.se
authors.forename: Gunilla
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Magnusson
authors.forename: Svetlana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bizjajeva
authors.forename: Birgitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Haargaard
authors.forename: Mats
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lundström
authors.forename: Alf
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nyström
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tornqvist
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002386:Cataract / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008430:Maternal-Child Health Centers; D015997:Neonatal Screening; D009775:Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology