Oesophageal Atresia: Prevalence in the Valencian Region (Spain) and Associated Anomalies.

The objective was to determine the prevalence of oesophageal atresia (OA) and describe the characteristics of OA cases diagnosed before the first year of life, born between 2007 and 2019, and residents in the Valencian Region (VR), Spain. Live births (LB), stillbirths (SB), and termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly (TOPFA) diagnosed with OA were selected from the Congenital Anomalies population-based Registry of VR (RPAC-CV). The prevalence of OA per 10,000 births with 95% confidence interval was calculated, and socio-demographic and clinical variables were analyzed. A total of 146 OA cases were identified. The overall prevalence was 2.4/10,000 births, and prevalence by type of pregnancy ending was 2.3 in LB and 0.03 in both SB and TOPFA. A mortality rate of 0.03/1000 LB was observed. A relationship was found between case mortality and birth weight (p-value < 0.05). OA was primarily diagnosed at birth (58.2%) and 71.2% of the cases were associated with another congenital anomaly, mainly congenital heart defects. Significant variations in the prevalence of OA in the VR were detected throughout the study period. In conclusion, a lower prevalence in SB and TOPFA was identified compared to EUROCAT data. As several studies have identified, an association between OA cases and birth weight was found.

[Public health service prescriptions of vaccines not included in systematic vaccination programs in Valencian community, Spain, during the period 2004-2009]. / Prescripción de vacunas no incluidas en el calendario vacunal en la Comunitat Valenciana durante el período 2004-2009.

BACKGROUND: In the context of the policies of rational use of medicine, and in order to achieve an efficient management of the vaccinations programs, we expect to know the number of packings and cost of prescribed vaccines not included in the vaccination programs of Valencian Community and its departments during 2009 and to analyze its evolution since 2004, focusing on an analysis of Heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in children under two years old. METHODS: Retrospective descriptive study to analyze the prescriptions of vaccines in Valencian Community during 2009 and its evolution since 2004. VARIABLES: vaccine availability, number of packings, group of beneficiary (actives/pensioners), department, and cost of prescriptions. DATA SOURCES: Gestor de Prestación Farmacéutica (GAIA) and Sistema Información Poblacional (SIP). RESULTS: In 2009 prescribed vaccines on official national health system prescription forms that are not included in vaccination programs, supposed a cost of 683.445,71 € corresponding to 17.353 packings (87% of the total prescribed vaccines). Heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine generated 72% of the total cost of vaccines not included in the vaccination programs. The trend from 2004 to 2009 shows an increase in expenditure of 735.334 € (24,66%) in 2005 from which there takes place a marked and gradual decrease that reaches 1.562.650,67 € (-228.64%). The cost by departments of prescriptions per 1000 children under two years old of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine ranges between 17.377 and 324 €. CONCLUSIONS: The declining trend of prescriptions, mainly of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, continues during 2009. A great interdepartmental variability is observed, nevertheless, in rates of prescription that should be corrected.

Prescripción de vacunas no incluidas en el calendario vacunal en la Comunitat Valenciana durante el período 2004-2009 / Public health service prescriptions of vaccines not included in systematic vaccination programs in valencian community, Spain, during the period 2004-2009

Fundamentos: En el marco de las políticas de uso racional del medicamento, y al objeto de conseguir una gestión eficiente de los programas de vacunaciones, el objetivo de este trabajo es conocer el número de envases de las vacunas prescritas no incluidas en los programas de vacunación en la Comunitat Valenciana y en sus departamentos de salud, así como el gasto que produjeron en 2009, y analizar la evolución desde 2004, centrando el análisis en la vacuna heptavalente conjugada frente al Streptococcus pneumoniae en menores de dos años. Método: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de las vacunas prescritas mediante receta en la Comunitat Valenciana durante el año 2009 y su evolución desde 2004. Variables: número de envases, tipo de beneficiario (activo/pensionista), departamento y gasto generado. Fuentes: Gestor de Prestación Farmacéutica (GAIA) y Sistema Información Poblacional (SIP). Resultados: En 2009 la prescripción mediante receta de vacunas no incluidas en los programas de vacunación generó un gasto de 683.445,71 ] correspondiente a 17.353 envases, lo que supuso el 87! del total del gasto en vacunas recetadas. La vacuna frente al S. pneumoniae generó el 72! del gasto total de las vacunas no incluidas en el calendario. La evolución 2004-2009 muestra un aumento del gasto de 735.334 ] (24,66!) en 2005 a partir del cual se produjo un descenso acusado y paulatino que alcanzó los 1.562.650,67 ] (-228.64!). El gasto por departamentos para la vacuna del neumococo conjugada heptavalente por mil niños/as menores de dos años osciló entre 17.377 y 324 ]. Conclusiones: La tendencia descendente del gasto en recetas prescritas se mantuvo durante 2009, fundamentalmente de vacunas conjugadas frente a neumococo. No obstante, se observó gran variabilidad interdepartamental en las tasas de prescripción que debe ser corregida(AU)

Background: In the context of the policies of rational use of medicine, and in order to achieve an efficient management of the vaccinations programs, we expect to know the number of packings and cost of prescribed vaccines not included in the vaccination programs of Valencian Community and its departments during 2009 and to analyze its evolution since 2004, focusing on an analysis of Heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in children under two years old. Methods: Retrospective descriptive study to analyze the prescriptions of vaccines in Valencian Community during 2009 and its evolution since 2004. Variables: vaccine availability, number of packings, group of beneficiary (actives/pensioners), department, and cost of prescriptions. Data sources: Gestor de Prestación Farmacéutica (GAIA) and Sistema Información Poblacional (SIP). Results: In 2009 prescribed vaccines on official national health system prescription forms that are not included in vaccination programs, supposed a cost of 683.445,71 ] corresponding to 17.353 packings (87! of the total prescribed vaccines). Heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine generated 72! of the total cost of vaccines not included in the vaccination programs. The trend from 2004 to 2009 shows an increase in expenditure of 735.334 ] (24,66!) in 2005 from which there takes place a marked and gradual decrease that reaches 1.562.650,67 ] (-228.64!). The cost by departments of prescriptions per 1000 children under two years old of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine ranges between 17.377 and 324 ]. Conclusions: The declining trend of prescriptions, mainly of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, continues during 2009. A great interdepartmental variability is observed, nevertheless, in rates of prescription that should be corrected(AU)