ABSTRACT
PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: To analyze the results of a statewide screening program inaugurated in 2002 in Mato Grosso do Sul, METHODS: Retrospective audit of the screening results of 8,477 pregnant women for 11 diseases in 19 tests. Local health centers of the Brazilian Unified System of Health/State Program of Pregnant Protection (SUS/PEPG) and central reference processing laboratories, both in and out of state were involved. Pregnant women were referred to the program by medical staff principally at local health centers, between November 2002 and February 2003. Primary screening with filter-paper blood samples was carried out with positives being resampled and sera appropriately tested. RESULTS: The detailed test results are given below; the most frequent diseases serodiagnosed were hepatitis B, syphilis, HIV and Chagas' disease. One case of maternal phenylketonouria (PKU) was encountered. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of 11 diseases of importance for mothers and their offspring provides an epidemiological profile of Brazil, but must be matched by opportunities to elaborate new control strategies and improve health care during pregnancy.
