Current practices and profiles of ophthalmologists involved in retinopathy of prematurity care in Brazil.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) care in Brazil varies in availability of resources and infrastructure. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among ophthalmologists of the Brazilian ROP Group (BRA-ROP) to assess the profiles and practices of ophthalmologists involved in ROP care. A total of 78 responses of BRA-ROP participants (79%) were included. Participants were mostly retina experts (64.1%), female (65.4%), and over 40 years of age (60.2%). Eighty-six percent reported following Brazil's ROP screening criteria. Retinal imaging is available to 16.9% of respondents; fluorescein angiography, to 1.4%. For ROP stage 3 zone II (with plus disease), laser treatment was the preferred treatment (78.9%); for aggressive ROP, anti-VEGF was favored (66.2%). There were significant regional differences in treatment choice. Not all respondents continued to follow treated patients after discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit, highlighting an aspect of ROP care in need of improvement.

Longitudinal Follow-Up of Gross Motor Function in Children with Congenital Zika Virus Syndrome from a Cohort in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Knowledge of how congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) impacts motor development of children longitudinally is important to guide management. The objective of the present study was to describe the evolution of gross motor function in children with CZS in a Rio de Janeiro hospital. In children with CZS without arthrogryposis or other congenital osteoarticular malformations who were followed in a prospective cohort study, motor performance was evaluated at two timepoints using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and the Gross Motor Function Measurement test (GMFM-88). Among 74 children, at the baseline evaluation, the median age was 13 (8-24) months, and on follow-up, 28 (24-48) months. According to GMFCS at the second timepoint, 6 children were classified as mild, 11 as moderate, and 57 as severe. In the GMFM-88 assessment, children in the severe group had a median score of 10.05 in the baseline evaluation and a follow-up score of 12.40, the moderate group had median scores of 25.60 and 29.60, and the mild group had median scores of 82.60 and 91.00, respectively. Although a small developmental improvement was observed, the motor impairment of children was mainly consistent with severe cerebral palsy. Baseline motor function assessments were predictive of prognosis.

Gross motor function in children with Congenital Zika Syndrome from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) is characterized by many impairments especially in the central nervous system, potentially compromising neurodevelopment and causing significant morbidity in affected children. The aim was to assess gross motor function in children with CZS. This was a cross-sectional investigation nested within a prospective cohort study of children with CZS based in a Brazilian referral hospital in Rio de Janeiro. Between March/2017 and February/2018, we performed gross motor function assessments using the Gross Motor Function Classification (GMFCS) and the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), estimating the mean and standard deviation of GMFM scores among GMFCS groups. The study sample included 72 children, with a median age of 13 months (7-25). Of these, 63 (87.5%) had severe motor impairment, 3 (4%) had moderate impairment, and 6 (8%) had mild impairment. The mean GMFM score for each group was respectively 11.6, 26.1, and 81.6, with statistically significant differences (p-value < 0.001). Severely affected children only achieved head control in the sitting posture when supported. Children with milder forms were able to develop walking skills.Conclusion: Most children with CZS have major motor disabilities and a poor prognosis. Better understanding of limitations and functionality in children with CZS can serve as a prognostic guide in their management. What is Known: • Severe motor impairment was present in 63 (87.5%) children with CZS. • The degree of neurological impairment was inversely associated with motor performance. What is New: • Microcephaly was more frequent among children with severe gross motor function impairment. • Children with CZS have major motor disabilities and a poor prognosis.

Language delay was associated with a smaller head circumference at birth in asymptomatic infants prenatally exposed to the Zika virus.

AIM: Our aim was to analyse 12-month outcomes of children who were prenatally exposed to the Zika virus and asymptomatic at birth. METHODS: This was an observational, exploratory study of infants exposed to the Zika virus during gestation and born between March 2016 and April 2017 without congenital Zika syndrome. They were followed until the age of 22 months. The outcome measure was neurodevelopment at 12 months of life, which was evaluated with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third edition (Bayley-III). The scores were adjusted for maternal education and prematurity. RESULTS: A total of 96 infants were included in the study and 35.4% scored below the normal range in at least one Bayley-III domain. The majority (91.2%) of the infants with delayed scores presented with language delay, which was not associated with the gestational age at exposure. Receptive language was more affected by exposure than expressive language (27.0% vs 19.8%). There was a direct, and significant, association between the head circumference Z-score at birth and language delay. CONCLUSION: Language delay was associated with a smaller head circumference at birth in infants prenatally exposed to the Zika virus and born asymptomatic. This may indicate future learning difficulties.

Predictors for de novo stress urinary incontinence following pelvic reconstructive surgery with mesh.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study are to describe the postoperative incidence of de novo stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women who underwent anterior vaginal compartment prolapse repair using synthetic polypropylene mesh and to identify risk factors for this outcome. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study of 146 women who underwent anterior vaginal repair from 2007 to 2017 and followed by a minimum period of 12 months was performed. The incidence of de novo SUI was evaluated at 3 and 12 months of follow-up. Women with concomitant or prior anti-incontinence surgery were not included. Preoperatively, all patients had a negative stress test and no evidence of occult SUI on urodynamics. The outcome was considered positive if the patient had complaints of SUI at the follow-up. Variables associated with the outcome with a p-value ≤ 0.10 were included in a logistic regression model to calculate the relative risk (RR) for de novo SUI. For multivariate analysis, all analyzes were performed considering a significant p-value ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: The incidence of de novo SUI at 3 and 12 months of follow-up was 15.8 % and 20.5 %, respectively. Higher body mass index (BMI), diabetes, anterior vaginal wall prolapse stage ≥ 3, older age at first pregnancy and higher first desire to void during the urodynamic evaluation were positively associated with de novo SUI in the bivariate analysis (p ≤ 0.10). Previous perineoplasty had a negative association with the outcome analyzed, suggesting a protective effect. After the multivariate analysis, higher BMI (RR 1.19, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.05-1.36), diabetes (RR 4.18, 95 % CI 1.32-13.21) and anterior vaginal wall prolapse stage ≥ 3 (RR 14.74, 95 % CI 1.64-132.0) remained as risk factors for de novo SUI (p ≤ 0.01). CONCLUSION: The incidence of de novo SUI after the surgical correction of anterior vaginal wall prolapse with synthetic mesh in this population was 15.8 % and 20.5 % at 3 and 12 months of follow-up, respectively. Continent women who underwent this surgical procedure and who had a higher BMI, diabetes and anterior vaginal wall prolapse stage ≥ 3 had a higher risk of presenting de novo SUI.

Reviewing the prognostic factors in myelomeningocele.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to analyze the factors that have an impact on morbidity and mortality in patients with myelomeningocele (MMC). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze factors associated with MMC that influence the morbidity and mortality of the disease. Data were collected from medical records of children who underwent the primary repair of MMC at the Fernandes Figueira Institute-Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (IFF-Fiocruz) between January 1995 and January 2015, with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. The following variables were analyzed: demographic characteristics (gestational age, sex, and birth weight); clinical features (head circumference at birth, anatomical and functional levels of MMC, hydrocephalus, symptomatic Chiari malformation type II, neurogenic bladder, and urinary tract infection [UTI]); and surgical details such as timing of repair of MMC, age at first shunt placement, shunt surgery modality (elective or emergency), concurrent surgery (correction of MMC and shunt insertion in the same surgical procedure), incidence and cause of shunt dysfunction, use of external ventricular drain, transfontanelle puncture, surgical wound complications prior to shunting, and endoscopic treatment of hydrocephalus. RESULTS: A total of 231 patients with MMC were included in the analysis. Patients were followed for periods ranging from 1 to 20 years, with a mean of 6.9 years. The frequency of shunt placement was observed mainly among patients with MMC at the highest spinal levels (p < 0.01). The main causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with MMC were shunt failures, diagnosed in 91 of 193 cases (47.2%) of hydrocephalus, and repeated UTIs, in 129 of 231 cases (55.8%) of MMC; these were the main causes of hospitalization and death. Head circumference ≥ 38 cm at birth was found to be a significant risk factor for shunt revision (p < 0.001; 95% CI 1.092-1.354). Also, the lumbar functional level of MMC was associated with less revision than upper levels (p < 0.014; 95% CI 0.143-0.805). There was a significant association between recurrent UTI and thoracic functional level. CONCLUSIONS: Macrocephaly at birth and higher levels of the defect have an impact on worse outcome and, therefore, are a challenge to the daily practice of pediatric neurosurgery.

Differences in energy expenditure in human donor milk versus formula milk in preterm newborns: A crossover study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the ratio between energy expenditure and caloric density in human donor milk versus formula milk in preterm newborn infants. METHODS: This was a crossover, randomized clinical trial with 29 preterm newborn infants receiving full diet. The infants were randomly assigned to receive either human milk or formula milk alternating, after a 24-h period. Energy expenditure was evaluated by indirect calorimetry. Total calorie and macronutrient values in the human milk were calculated individually with infrared technique; energy expenditure/caloric density ratio was calculated. RESULTS: Human donor milk energy expenditure/caloric density ratio was significantly greater than in formula milk at all time points. The total mean was 1.04 ± 0.27 for the human milk and 0.81 ± 0.11 for the formula. However, when we analyzed a subgroup of newborns that received human donor milk with >60 kcal/100 mL, there was no statistical difference (P = 0.36). The mean calorie values were 58.9 kcal/100 mL (human donor milk) and 81.4 kcal/100 mL (formula milk). CONCLUSION: Formula milk produced a better metabolic response than human donor milk. Human donor milk with higher caloric content showed no difference from formula, so the use of human donor milk with more caloric density should be reinforced.

The distribution of novel biomarkers in carcinoma-in-situ, microinvasive, and squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

Importin-ß, exportin-5, p16, Ki-67, Mcl1, PDL1, and cFLIP are each over-expressed in the majority of CIN 1 lesions. These biomarkers, plus HPV E6/E7 RNA, were analyzed in carcinoma-in-situ (CIS), microinvasive, and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the uterine cervix and cervical carcinoma cell lines. Only p16 and Ki-67 continued to be over-expressed in CIS, with a concomitant marked increase in E6/E7 RNA. There was a highly significant increase in PDL1 expression and decrease in Ki-67 (each p < 0.001) in microinvasive cancer compared to CIS whereas p16 and E6/E7 remained stable. As the lesion progressed to SCC, p16 and E6/E7 RNA remained strongly overexpressed with a concomitant over expression of importin-ß and Ki67. HPV positive Caski cells showed significant elevations of p16, importin-ß, exportin-5 and PDL1 compared to the HPV negative cervical cancer cell line C33A, consistent with viral induction of these biomarkers. The data suggest that PDL1 may be a useful biomarker to differentiate CIS from microinvasive cancer and, thus, anti-PDL1 therapy may inhibit the progression of CIS to the invasive stage.

Eye Findings in Infants With Suspected or Confirmed Antenatal Zika Virus Exposure.

: media-1vid110.1542/5804915134001PEDS-VA_2018-1104Video Abstract OBJECTIVES: To characterize ophthalmic manifestations of confirmed or suspected antenatal Zika virus (ZIKV) exposure. METHODS: Infants with antenatal ZIKV exposure were referred for evaluation during the 2015-2016 Rio de Janeiro outbreak. Mothers with symptomatic ZIKV infection during pregnancy and/or infants with microcephaly or other findings that were suggestive of suspected antenatal exposure were tested with reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Complete eye examinations were performed by pediatric ophthalmologists between January 2016 and February 2017. The main outcome measure was eye abnormalities in RT-PCR-positive and suspected (ie, not tested or RT-PCR-negative) antenatal ZIKV cases. RESULTS: Of 224 infants, 189 had RT-PCR testing performed. Of 189 patients, 156 had positive RT-PCR results in their blood, urine, and/or placenta. Of 224 infants, 90 had central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities, including microcephaly (62 infants). Eye abnormalities were present in 57 of 224 (25.4%) infants. Optic nerve (44 of 57; 77.2%) and retina abnormalities (37 of 57; 64.9%) were the most common. The group with suspected ZIKV infection (68 infants) had proportionally more eye (36.8% vs 20.5%; P = .022) and CNS abnormalities (68.3% vs 28.1%; P = .008), likely because of referral patterns. Eye abnormalities consistent with ZIKV infection were clinically comparable in both RT-PCR-positive and unconfirmed groups, including 4 RT-PCR-positive infants of 5 without any CNS abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: Similar eye manifestations were identified regardless of laboratory confirmation. Well-appearing infants were also found to have eye abnormalities. Therefore, all infants born after ZIKV outbreaks should be universally screened for eye abnormalities.

Growth and body composition in preterm newborns with bronchopulmonary dysplasia: a cohort study.

Objective To compare growth and body composition of preterm infants (gestational age <32 weeks) with and without bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Methods A prospective cohort involving three neonatal units in the public health system of the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro. Inclusion: newborns with gestational age <32 weeks. EXPOSURE: BPD. Anthropometric measurements were performed at birth and at 1 month of infant corrected age. Body composition was measured using an air displacement plethysmography (ADP) (PEA POD®) at 1 month of infant corrected age. Results Ninety-five newborns were eligible, of which 67 were included, 32.8% of them with BPD. Newborns with BPD presented lower gestational age at birth, greater need for resuscitation in the delivery room, received parenteral nutrition (PN) for a longer period of time, achieved lower weights during hospital stay and required more time to reach a full enteral diet. No statistically significant differences were observed in relation to anthropometric measurements and body composition at 1 month of infant corrected age between the groups with and without BPD. Conclusion This study, unlike previous ones, has shown that children who developed BPD were able to regain growth, as measured by anthropometric measures, with no change in body composition at 1 month of infant corrected age.

[Records of congenital heart disease in infants under one year in information systems on birth, hospitalization and death in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, 2006-2010]. / Registros de cardiopatia congênita em crianças menores de um ano nos sistemas de informações sobre nascimento, internação e óbito do estado do Rio de Janeiro, 2006-2010.

OBJECTIVE: to describe the occurrence of cases of congenital heart disease in infants under one year recorded in health information systems of Rio de Janeiro State, from 2006 to 2010. METHODS: descriptive study with data from the Information System on Live Births (Sinasc), Hospital Information System of the Brazilian National Health System (SIH/SUS) and Mortality Information System (SIM). RESULTS: a total of 345 records were found on Sinasc, there were 1,089 hospitalized children (SIH/SUS) and 1,121 deaths (SIM) of children under one year of age whose underlying cause was congenital heart disease; the prevalence of congenital heart disease was 3.18/10,000 live births; heart diseases were the main causes of death in the group of congenital malformations, with a mortality coefficient of 1.03/1,000 live births. CONCLUSION: there was underreporting of cases of congenital heart disease on Sinasc, demonstrating the difficulty of early diagnosis.

ANALYSIS OF SURGICAL SITE INFECTIONS IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS AFTER ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY: A CASE-CONTROL STUDY. / ANÁLISE DAS INFECÇÕES DE SÍTIO CIRÚRGICO EM PACIENTES PEDIÁTRICOS APÓS CIRURGIA ORTOPÉDICA: UM ESTUDO CASO-CONTROLE.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the rate of surgical site infections in children undergoing orthopedic surgery in centers of excellence and analyze the patients' profiles. METHODS: Medical records of pediatric patients undergoing orthopedic surgery in the Jamil Haddad National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics from January 2012 to December 2013 were analyzed and monitored for one year. Patients diagnosed with surgical site infection were matched with patients without infection by age, date of admission, field of orthopedic surgery and type of surgical procedure. Patient, surgical and follow-up variables were examined. Descriptive, bivariate and correspondence analyses were performed to evaluate the patients' profiles. RESULTS: 347 surgeries and 10 surgical site infections (2.88%) were identified. There was association of infections with age - odds ratio (OR) 11.5 (confidence interval - 95%CI 1.41-94.9) -, implant - OR 7.3 (95%CI 1.46-36.3) -, preoperative period - OR 9.8 (95%CI 1.83-53.0), and length of hospitalization - OR 20.6 (95%CI 3.7-114.2). The correspondence analysis correlated the infection and preoperative period, weight, weight Z-score, age, implant, type of surgical procedure, and length of hospitalization. Average time to diagnosis of infection occurred 26.5±111.46 days after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of surgical site infection was 2.88%, while higher in children over 24 months of age who underwent surgical implant procedures and had longer preoperative periods and lengths of hospitalization. This study identified variables for the epidemiological surveillance of these events in children. Available databases and appropriate analysis methods are essential to monitor and improve the quality of care offered to the pediatric population.

OBJETIVOS: Descrever taxa de infecção no sítio cirúrgico em crianças submetidas à cirurgia ortopédica em centro de referência e analisar o perfil desses pacientes. MÉTODOS: Verificados prontuários de pacientes pediátricos submetidos à cirurgia ortopédica de janeiro de 2012 a dezembro de 2013 no Instituto Nacional de Traumatologia e Ortopedia Jamil Haddad com um ano de seguimento. Pacientes com diagnóstico de infecção de sítio cirúrgico foram pareados com pacientes sem esse diagnóstico com base na idade, na data de internação, na área de atuação ortopédica e no tipo de procedimento cirúrgico. Averiguadas variáveis do paciente, da cirurgia e do seguimento. Realizadas análises descritivas, bivariadas e de correspondência para avaliação do perfil dos pacientes. RESULTADOS: Identificadas 347 cirurgias e 10 infecções de sítio cirúrgico (2,88%). Houve associação de infecção com idade Odds Ratio (OR) 11,5 (intervalo de confiança - IC95% 1,41-94,9), implante OR 7,3 (IC95% 1,46-36,3), tempo pré-operatório OR 9,8 (IC95% 1,83-53,0) e tempo de internação OR 20,6 (IC95% 3,7-114,2). A análise de correspondência correlacionou a infecção com tempo pré-operatório, peso, escore Z de peso, idade, implante, tipo de procedimento e tempo de internação. O tempo médio de diagnóstico da infecção foi de 26,5±111,46 dias após cirurgia. CONCLUSÕES: A taxa de infecção no sítio cirúrgico foi de 2,88%, maior em crianças acima de 24 meses, que realizaram implante, tiveram mais tempo pré-operatório e de internação. Este estudo identificou variáveis de vigilância epidemiológica desses eventos em crianças. Bancos de dados e métodos de análises adequados são fundamentais para o acompanhamento e o aprimoramento do cuidado ofertado à população pediátrica.

Preinvasive and invasive disease in women with cytological diagnosis of high-grade lesion and high-grade lesion cannot exclude microinvasion.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer in Brazil and has a high potential for prevention and cure. The prevalence of invasive and preinvasive disease in women with cytological diagnosis of high-grade lesion - cannot exclude microinvasion (HSIL-micro) is not known. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used a cytology lab database to identify women with HSIL-micro and HSIL referred to two colposcopic units from June 2006 to December 2012. For each woman with HSIL-micro, four women with cytologic diagnosis of HSIL who met the inclusion criteria were identified. Data were obtained from review of medical records. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients with report of HSIL-micro and 188 patients with report of HSIL were included. The final diagnoses revealed a frequency of preinvasive lesions of 31.9 % (15/47) and 59.6 % (112/188) in patients with HSIL-micro and HSIL, respectively, while the frequency of invasive disease was 63.8 % (30/47) and 11.7 % (22/188), respectively. The HSIL-micro group showed prevalence of preinvasive or invasive disease 6.5 times greater (95 % CI = 1.6-5.7) and, for invasive disease, 2.4 times greater (95 % CI = 1.7-3.6) than the HSIL group. CONCLUSION: Higher risk of preinvasive and invasive lesions in women with cytologic diagnosis of HSIL-micro reinforces recommendations for immediate investigation.

The efficacy of the use of intravenous human immunoglobulin in Brazilian newborns with rhesus hemolytic disease: a randomized double-blind trial.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of intravenous human immunoglobulin (IVIG) in the presence of high-intensity phototherapy in decreasing the need for exchange transfusion in newborns with rhesus hemolytic disease. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The trial included D+ newborns born at 32 weeks of gestational age or later with a positive direct antiglobulin test and whose mothers were Rh-alloimmunized and did or did not receive intrauterine transfusion. The newborns were randomly assigned to receive either IVIG at a dose of 500 mg/kg or placebo (saline solution, 10 mL/kg) during the first 6 hours of life. The primary outcome was the need for exchange transfusion. The criteria for exchange transfusion were total serum bilirubin (TSB) level at or above 340 µmol/L (20 mg/dL) or increasing by 8.5 µmol/L/hr (0.5 mg/dL/hr) despite intensive phototherapy. RESULTS: The trial included 92 newborns. There was no difference in the rate of exchange transfusion between groups: 6 of 46 (13%) in the IVIG group versus 7 of 46 (15.2%) in the placebo group (p = 0.765). There were no significant differences between groups with respect to their need for exchange transfusion, phototherapy time, peak bilirubin, or length of hospital stay. There were no adverse events related to the drug or the form of administration. CONCLUSION: Nonspecific human immunoglobulin was not effective in preventing the need for exchange transfusion in neonates with rhesus hemolytic disease.

Perfil dos pacientes internados em serviços de pediatria no município do Rio de Janeiro: mudamos? / Profile of pediatric services inpatients in the city of Rio de Janeiro: have we changed?

Apesar das alterações observadas nos últimos anos no adoecimento e na mortalidade na infância com marcada redução das internações por doenças infectocontagiosas, existem poucos estudos que apresentem o perfil clínico e demográfico das internações pediátricas em nosso meio. o estudo teve como objetivo identificar as características e os procedimentos diagnósticos e terapêuticos das internações pediátricas em hospitais do sistema público de saúde no município do Rio de Janeiro. Quanto ao método, foi realizado estudo retrospectivo desenvolvido em quatro hospitais públicos no Rio de Janeiro, em amostra constituída de 170 internações ocorridas nas enfermarias de pediatria no período de janeiro a dezembro de 2008. As informações obtidas evidenciaram elevada frequência de crianças portadoras de doenças crônicas (47.6%) no conjunto das internações estudadas. os serviços também apresentaram elevado percentual de pacientes com histórico de reinternação (35.3%). a análise por unidade mostrou que, entre os quatro serviços estudados, apenas um apresentou menor proporção de crianças portadoras de doenças crônicas e menor frequência de reinternações. nas outras três unidades hospitalares, em mais da metade do grupo estudado, as causas de internações encontradas estavam ligadas às doenças crônicas. os resultados confirmam a necessidade de organização dos serviços pediátricos no sentido de estarem preparados, com estrutura e processos de cuidado adequados, para o manejo, tratamento e acompanhamento do paciente portador de doença crônica.

[Assessment of the impact of the NGO Refazer on medical care for children at social risk]. / Avaliação de impacto da ONG Refazer no tratamento médico de crianças em risco social.

OBJECTIVE: Assess the impact of activities by the nongovernmental organization Refazer in support of medical care for children at social risk. METHODS: A longitudinal study was conducted of 77 patients from Rio de Janeiro in treatment at the Fernandes Figueira Institute and supported by Refazer. The assessment period was two years, one before and the other during the intervention period while being supported by the NGO. The percentage of hospitalizations, average length of stay, severity of the illness, use of technology, number of outpatient consultations, and clinical conditions involved were compared. RESULTS: The indicators linked with the hospitalizations revealed changes during the intervention period. There was a reduction in the average time and percentage of hospitalization. The most common pathologies were congenital malformations, chromosomal anomalies, and diseases of the nervous system. These diseases and HIV/AIDS were more prevalent in children that remained hospitalized even after receiving support from the NGO. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of the indicators showed that the outcomes are adequate to the NGO's mission and that the population helped benefits from participation in the social support network. Although it cannot be stated that the benefits found are due exclusively to the activities of the NGO, a simple and easy-to-use evaluation of adequacy was developed that NGOs themselves can use, representing progress toward the institutional use of evaluations by NGOs working in health.

Development of a technique for evaluating temporal parameters of sucking in breastfeeding preterm newborns.

AIMS: The aim of the current study was to developed and test the reliability of a technique for measuring temporal parameters of sucking in breastfeeding infants. METHODS: The technique was developed using a cohort of 11 term and 12 preterm infants, and subsequently evaluated using a cohort of 43 preterm infants. Measurements related to sucking pressure in the term and preterm infants were acquired. The signals were recorded for 5 min, saved on a computer, and stored for analysis. For purposes of analysis, the minute with the highest quality signal was chosen. Signal analysis was performed by two researchers, and inter- and intra-observer agreement was assessed. The newborns in the sample had different gestational ages. RESULTS: A technique was developed for the analysis of temporal parameters of sucking during breastfeeding and evaluated in 43 preterm infants with different gestational ages for the following variables: number of bursts per minute, number of sucks per burst, sucking rate, pause rate, and duration of pauses. The intra-observer agreement was 0.85 and the inter-observer agreement was 0.85. CONCLUSIONS: The technique that was developed and validated proved capable of measuring temporal parameters of sucking in breastfeeding newborns.

Effects of non-nutritive sucking and oral stimulation on breastfeeding rates for preterm, low birth weight infants: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of non-nutritive sucking and oral stimulation programs on breastfeeding rates at discharge, at 3 and at 6 months of corrected age in preterm infants with very low birth weight. METHODS: Preterm infants were randomized into experimental and control groups. Ninety-eight preterm infants were randomized and 96 remained in the study until reaching the corrected age of 6 months. The experimental group received sensory-motor-oral stimulation and non-nutritive sucking, while infants in the control group received a sham stimulation program. Both were administered from reaching enteral feeding (100 kcal/kg/day) until the beginning of oral feeding. RESULTS: Fifty-nine infants (61.5%) were breastfeeding at the time of hospital discharge, 31 (36.9%) at 3 months, and only 18 (20.5%) at 6 months of corrected age. At discharge, 46.9% of the control group and 76.5% of the experimental group were breastfeeding. There were statistically significant differences between rates of breastfeeding at discharge (47 vs. 76%), 3 months (18 vs. 47%) and 6 months after discharge (10 vs. 27%). The experimental group showed significantly higher rates of breastfeeding (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Non-nutritive sucking, associated with oral stimulation programs, can contribute to the improvement of breastfeeding rates among preterm infants with very low birth weight.

Prevalence of bone mineral disease among adolescents with cystic fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of bone mineral disease among adolescents with cystic fibrosis and to relate the findings with the variables studied. METHODS: The study enrolled 37 adolescents who were assessed for: nutritional status according to height/age and body mass/age ratios; bone mineral density of the lumbar spine and entire body by densitometry with dual emission X-ray; daily dietary intake according to a 3-day dietary recall; and pulmonary function by the forced expiratory volume in one second test. RESULTS: Mean age was 13.2 (+/-2.8) years. Nutritional status was adequate in 70.3 and 75.7% of patients according to the height/age and body mass/age indices, respectively; 54.1% of the patients exhibited reduced lumbar spine bone mineral density and 32.5% for the whole body. There was a positive correlation between bone mineral density and body mass index (p = 0.04). Lung disease and pancreatic insufficiency exhibited a correlation with altered bone mineral density. The dietary recall revealed adequate percentages of calcium, phosphorous and calories, according to the nutritional recommendations laid out in the European Cystic Fibrosis Consensus. The multivariate analysis indicated that these variables were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of bone mineral disease among adolescents. Good nutritional status, pancreatic enzyme replacement and control of lung disease may have a protective effect on bone mass.

[A comparative analysis of the ambulatory care production register in oncology in the Brazilian Unified Health System]. / Comparação do registro da produção ambulatorial em oncologia no Sistema Unico de Saúde.

The response of healthcare services to new information systems depends upon, among other factors, their local organization. This study aimed at comparing the chemotherapy and radiotherapy production registers for the cities Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte, Brazil, in the Ambulatory Information System of the Unified Brazilian Health System (in Portuguese, SUS) between November/1998 and February/2003. Both cities showed a pattern of increase for the chemotherapy production series, while the radiotherapy series showed such increase only for Rio de Janeiro. Comparing Box-Jenkins models for each series, Rio de Janeiro showed a delay of three months in recording production, due to public services. In Belo Horizonte, the delay was shorter than in Rio de Janeiro and there was no difference between public and non-public services. The observed differences between the cities seem to be associated with the fact that Belo Horizonte already had a mechanism to control and evaluate production before the introduction of the system in 1998.