Characteristics of the treatment received by children with cleft lip and palate in Argentina. / Características del tratamiento recibido por los niños con fisura labio alvéolo palatina en Argentina.

INTRODUCTION: Cleft lip and palate (CLP) are congenital abnormalities that affect anatomically and functionally the face and mouth, involving lip (CL), palate (CP), or both (CL/CP). OBJECTIVE: to characterize the treatment of children with CLP in public institutions in Argentina. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Cross sectional study in a random sample of 100 children from the Flap Network. We included children with isolated CL, CP, and CL/CP, of both sexes, with birth weight of 2500 grams or more and ges tational age over 36 weeks. The following data were recorded date of birth, hospital of birth, birth weight, gestational age, sex, specific diagnosis of the cleft, and initial surgery data. A telephone survey was conducted with the children's parents. To characterize the treatment, three indicators were cons tructed: interdisciplinary, opportunity, and integrality. These indicators were composed of different variables, and according to the sum of the score attributed to each one, the treatment was categorized as high, medium or low based on the treatment guidelines used by the Sumar Program. RESULTS: 30% of the patients started early treatment, 58% underwent timely surgery, and 29% of the children were in follow-up with basic specialties. The mother's high educational level was associated with higher probability of having interdisciplinary (OR2.9; 95%CI 1.3-6.8), comprehensive (OR3.7; 95%CI 1.6 8.7), and timely treatment (OR2.9; 95%CI 1.3-6.7). CONCLUSIONS: There are barriers to accessing care, such as long distances or shift management. Less social vulnerability of families was associated with greater likelihood of receiving treatment close to standards.

Red nacional para la atención de niños/as con fisuras orales: organización, funcionamiento y primeros resultados / National Health Care Network for children with oral clefts: organization, functioning, and preliminary outcomes

Introducción. Las fisuras orales son anomalías congénitas mayores que comprometen la integridad del labio y/o paladar, y pueden también afectar la nariz y las fosas nasales. La prevalencia enArgentina esde, aproximadamente, 15 afectados cada 10 000 nacimientos. El Ministerio de Salud de la Nación implemento, a partir del año 2015, una red nacional para la atención de niños/as con fisuras orales en Argentina a través de un trabajo conjunto entre la Red Nacional de Anomalías Congénitas (RENAC) (centro coordinador de la red nacional) y el Programa SUMAR. El objetivo de este trabajo es describir la red de atención y sus primeros resultados. Población y métodos. Se identificaron y acreditaron 61 instituciones que realizaban el tratamiento de fisuras orales de manera integral o articuladamente con otras instituciones. Se conectaron las maternidades con las instituciones tratantes, que se agruparon en nodos de la red de atención. Resultados. En el período entre marzo de 2015 y febrero de 2016, se identificaron 550 recién nacidos con cobertura exclusiva del sector público de salud. De ellos, un 18% presentó fisura de labio; 62%, fisura de labio y paladar; y 20%, fisura de paladar únicamente; en un 75% se presentaron de forma aislada y, en un 25%, asociadas a otras anomalías congénitas. Conclusión. Un 70% de los niños fue evaluado por una institución tratante acreditada y se encuentran en tratamiento. Se busca mejorar la sistematización de los datos, incorporar mayor cantidad de instituciones, fortalecer el trabajo interdisciplinario de los equipos y promover estándares de calidad para los tratamientos.

Introduction. Oral clefts are major congenital anomalies that may affect the lip and/or palate, and that may also involve the nose and nostrils. In Argentina, their prevalence is approximately 15 per 10 000 births. In 2015, the Ministry of Health of Argentina created a national health care network for children with oral clefts in Argentina through the joint work with the National Registry of Congenital Anomalies (Red Nacional de Anomalías Congénitas, RENAC) (coordinating center for the national network) and the SUMAR Program. The objective of this study was to describe the health care network and its preliminary outcomes. Population and methods. A total of 61 centers that provided a comprehensive treatment for oral clefts or in collaboration with other centers were identified and accredited. Maternity centers were connected with treating centers grouped in health care network nodes. Results. In the period between March 2015 and February 2016, 550 newborn infants who were exclusively covered by the public health care system were identified. Among these, 18% had a cleft lip; 62%, cleft lip and palate; and 20%, cleft palate only; 75% were isolated cases and 25%, in association with other congenital anomalies. Conclusion. Approximately 70% of children were assessed by a certified treating institution and are receiving treatment. The network seeks to improve data systematization, include the largest number of centers possible, strengthen interdisciplinary team work, and promote high-quality standards for treatments.

National Health Care Network for children with oral clefts: organization, functioning, and preliminary outcomes. / Red nacional para la atención de niños/as con fisuras orales: organización, funcionamiento y primeros resultados.

INTRODUCTION: Oral clefts are major congenital anomalies that may affect the lip and/or palate, and that may also involve the nose and nostrils. In Argentina, their prevalence is approximately 15 per 10 000 births. In 2015, the Ministry of Health of Argentina created a national health care network for children with oral clefts in Argentina through the joint work with the National Registry of Congenital Anomalies (Red Nacional de Anomalías Congénitas, RENAC) (coordinating center for the national network) and the SUMAR Program. The objective of this study was to describe the health care network and its preliminary outcomes. POPULATION AND METHODS: A total of 61 centers that provided a comprehensive treatment for oral clefts or in collaboration with other centers were identified and accredited. Maternity centers were connected with treating centers grouped in health care network nodes. RESULTS: In the period between March 2015 and February 2016, 550 newborn infants who were exclusively covered by the public health care system were identified. Among these, 18% had a cleft lip; 62%, cleft lip and palate; and 20%, cleft palate only; 75% were isolated cases and 25%, in association with other congenital anomalies. CONCLUSION: Approximately 70% of children were assessed by a certified treating institution and are receiving treatment. The network seeks to improve data systematization, include the largest number of centers possible, strengthen interdisciplinary team work, and promote high-quality standards for treatments.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las fisuras orales son anomalías congénitas mayores que comprometen la integridad del labio y/o paladar, y pueden también afectar la nariz y las fosas nasales. La prevalencia enArgentina esde, aproximadamente, 15 afectados cada 10 000 nacimientos. El Ministerio de Salud de la Nación implemento, a partir del año 2015, una red nacional para la atención de niños/as con fisuras orales en Argentina a través de un trabajo conjunto entre la Red Nacional de Anomalías Congénitas (RENAC) (centro coordinador de la red nacional) y el Programa SUMAR. El objetivo de este trabajo es describir la red de atención y sus primeros resultados. POBLACIÓN Y MÉTODOS: Se identificaron y acreditaron 61 instituciones que realizaban el tratamiento de fisuras orales de manera integral o articuladamente con otras instituciones. Se conectaron las maternidades con las instituciones tratantes, que se agruparon en nodos de la red de atención. RESULTADOS: En el período entre marzo de 2015 y febrero de 2016, se identificaron 550 recién nacidos con cobertura exclusiva del sector público de salud. De ellos, un 18% presentó fisura de labio; 62%, fisura de labio y paladar; y 20%, fisura de paladar únicamente; en un 75% se presentaron de forma aislada y, en un 25%, asociadas a otras anomalías congénitas. CONCLUSIÓN: Un 70% de los niños fue evaluado por una institución tratante acreditada y se encuentran en tratamiento. Se busca mejorar la sistematización de los datos, incorporar mayor cantidad de instituciones, fortalecer el trabajo interdisciplinario de los equipos y promover estándares de calidad para los tratamientos.