Cost-benefit impact of free asthma medication provision for the pediatric population.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a common chronic disease in childhood, resulting in high costs for health care systems and society. As of June 2011, the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) provides free asthma medications for the population. This study evaluated the impact of this program on asthma admissions in the population aged 1-19 years. In addition, a cost-benefit analysis compared data before and after the introduction of the program. METHODS: This descriptive study was based on information from SUS Information Technology Department (DATASUS). Admission rates and costs of patients aged 1-19 years with diagnosed asthma were compared before (2008-2010) and after (2012-2017) the provision of free inhaled corticosteroid. RESULTS: The asthma admission rate reduced by 28.4% when comparing the two periods (OR 0.71; 95% CI 0.64-0.79). Children aged 1-4 years had a 27.3% reduction in asthma admissions (OR 0.72; 95% CI 0.63-0.82), while those aged 15-19 years had a 39.65% decrease (OR 0.59; 95% CI 0.37-0.95). Asthma admission costs decreased when comparing the two periods (OR 0.68; 95% CI 0.62-0.74). After the introduction of the program, mean cost savings reached US $27,865,905.08 in children aged 1-4 years and US $21,350,660.63 in those aged 5-19 years. CONCLUSION: The economic burden of pediatric asthma on Brazil's public health care system is significant. From 2012 to 2015, free provision of inhaled corticosteroid was cost-effective in all age groups. In 2017, no cost-benefit effect was observed in this population, but asthma admission rate decreased.

Neurological congenital malformations in a tertiary hospital in south Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Congenital anomalies are one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality among infants. The involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) occurs in 21% of cases. OBJECTIVE: To identify incidence of CNS malformations and associated factors in newborns at a Terciary Hospital of Porto Alegre. METHOD: Case-control study conducted between 2000 and 2005 based on the Latin American Collaborative Study of Congenital Malformations database. RESULTS: Among 26,588 births registered in this period, 3.67% presented with malformations (IC=95%; 3.44-3.9), being 0.36% of the CNS (IC=95%,(0.29-0.43)). The most common CNS malformation was meningomielocele (10.4%). Young maternal age (p=0.005); low birth weight (p=0.015); large cephalic perimeter (p=0.003); post term birth (p=0.000) and low APGAR indexes at the 1st and 5th minutes were associated with CNS malformations. CONCLUSION: We found an incidence of CNS malformations similar as compared to literature.

Neurological congenital malformations in a tertiary hospital in south Brazil / Malformações neurológicas congênitas observadas em hopsital terciário no sul do Brasil

BACKGROUND: Congenital anomalies are one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality among infants. The involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) occurs in 21 percent of cases. OBJECTIVE: To identify incidence of CNS malformations and associated factors in newborns at a Terciary Hospital of Porto Alegre. METHOD: Case-control study conducted between 2000 and 2005 based on the Latin American Collaborative Study of Congenital Malformations database. RESULTS: Among 26,588 births registered in this period, 3.67 percent presented with malformations (IC=95 percent; 3.44-3.9), being 0.36 percent of the CNS (IC=95 percent,(0.29-0.43)). The most common CNS malformation was meningomielocele (10.4 percent). Young maternal age (p=0.005); low birth weight (p=0.015); large cephalic perimeter (p=0.003); post term birth (p=0.000) and low APGAR indexes at the 1st and 5th minutes were associated with CNS malformations. CONCLUSION: We found an incidence of CNS malformations similar as compared to literature.

Anomalias congênitas são umas das principais causas de morbimortalidade infantil. O sistema nervoso central (SNC) é acometido em 21 por cento dos casos. OBJETIVO: Identificar a incidência e fatores associados a malformações do SNC em recém nascidos na maternidade de um hospital terciário de Porto Alegre. MÉTODO: Estudo controle realizado de janeiro de 2000 a dezembro de 2005, baseado no banco de dados do Estudo Colaborativo Latino Americano de Malformações Congênitas. RESULTADOS: Dos 26.588 nascimentos, 3,67 por cento apresentaram malformação (IC=95 por cento; 3,44-3,9), com 0,36 por cento do SNC (IC=95 por cento, (0,29-0,43)). A malformação do SNC mais comum foi hidrocefalia (10,9 por cento). Menor idade materna (p=0,005); menor peso ao nascimento (p=0,015), maior perímetro cefálico (p=0,003); nascimentos pré-termo (p=0,000) e menores índice APGAR no 1º e 5º minutos (p<0,000) apresentaram associação com malformações do SNC. CONCLUSÃO: Foi encontrada incidência similar de malformações do SNC comparada à literatura.

Displasia fibrosa da mandíbula / Fibrous dysplasia of mandible

A displasia fibrosa da mandíbula é uma patologia óssea benigna que representa cerca de 2% de todos os tumores ósseos. Relatamos o caso de uma paciente de 11 anos de idade, com queixa de dor em região mandibular esquerda há 1 semana, com história de abaulamento da mesma região há 3 meses. Após realização de exames de imagem, foi diagnosticado displasia fibrosa da mandíbula. O objetivo deste relato é revisar as principais características clínicas, radiológicas e possíveis tratamentos para o caso, dando a devida importância para o seguimento ambulatorial pós-tratamento

Fibrous dysplasia is a benign bone disease which represents about 2% of all bone tumors. Here we report the case of an 11-year-old who complained of pain at the left mandible area for a week, with history of arching in this area for 3 months. Imaging examinations led to the diagnosis of fibrous dysplasia of the mandible. The aim of this work is to review the main clinical and radiological characteristics and possible treatments for the case, giving due importance to ambulatory follow-up care