Geographic clusters of congenital anomalies in Argentina

Geographical clusters are defined as the occurrence of an unusual number of cases higher than expected in a given geographical area in a certain period of time. The aim of this study was to identify potential geographical clusters of specific selected congenital anomalies (CA) in Argentina. The cases were ascertained from 703,325 births, examined in 133 maternity hospitals in the 24 provinces of Argentina. We used the spatial scan statistic to determine areas of Argentina which had statistically significant elevations of prevalence. Prenatal diagnosis followed by referral of high-risk pregnancies to high complexity hospitals in a hospital-based surveillance system can create artifactual clusters. We assessed the referral bias by evaluating the prevalence heterogeneity within each cluster. Eight clusters of selected CAs with unusually high birth prevalence were identified: anencephaly, encephalocele, spina bifida, diaphragmatic hernia, talipes equinovarus, omphalocele, Cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P), and Down syndrome. The clusters of Down syndrome and CL/P observed in this study match the previously reported clusters. These findings support local targeted interventions to lower the prevalence of the CAs and/or further research on the cause of each cluster. The clusters of spina bifida, anencephaly, encephalocele, omphalocele, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and talipes equinovarus may be influenced by prenatal diagnosis and referral to high complexity hospitals.Fil: Groisman, Boris. Ministerio de Salud de la Nación. Centro Nacional de Genética Médica. Registro Nacional de Anomalías Congénitas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Gili, Juan Antonio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. CEMIC-CONICET. Centro de Educaciones Médicas e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno". CEMIC-CONICET.; ArgentinaFil: Gimenez, Lucas Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. CEMIC-CONICET. Centro de Educaciones Médicas e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno". CEMIC-CONICET.; ArgentinaFil: Poletta, Fernando Adrián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. CEMIC-CONICET. Centro de Educaciones Médicas e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno". CEMIC-CONICET.; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Genética Médica Populacional; BrasilFil: Bidondo, Maria Paz. Ministerio de Salud de la Nación. Centro Nacional de Genética Médica. Registro Nacional de Anomalías Congénitas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Barbero, Pablo. Ministerio de Salud de la Nación. Centro Nacional de Genética Médica. Registro Nacional de Anomalías Congénitas; ArgentinaFil: Liascovich, Rosa. Ministerio de Salud de la Nación. Centro Nacional de Genética Médica. Registro Nacional de Anomalías Congénitas; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: López Camelo, Jorge Santiago. Instituto Nacional de Genética Médica Populacional; Brasil. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. CEMIC-CONICET. Centro de Educaciones Médicas e Investigaciones Clínicas "Norberto Quirno". CEMIC-CONICET.; Argentin

RENAC: National Registry of Congenital Anomalies of Argentina

Introducción. El Registro Nacional de Anomalías Congénitas (RENAC) es un sistema de vigilancia de base hospitalaria de recién nacidos con anomalías congénitas (AC) morfológicas mayores. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar las características y el funcionamiento operativo del RENAC y la prevalencia al nacer de 56 AC específicas seleccionadas, en comparación con otros registros. Población y métodos. La organización del RENAC se inició en los hospitales públicos con 1000 o más nacimientos anuales o que son cabecera de una región sanitaria. La recolección de datos está a cargo de los neonatólogos y una coordinación centraliza la codificación, los análisis estadísticos y los informes periódicos. Utiliza un foro web para el envío de los datos y para la interacción y orientación en el manejo inicial de los casos. Resultados. Entre el 1 de noviembre de 2009 y el 30 de junio de 2012 se incorporaron 98 hospitales, cuya cobertura anual es del 65% en el sector público y el 35% de los nacimientos del país. En el período se examinaron 294 005 recién nacidos y se detectaron 5165 casos con AC mayores (1,76%; IC 95% 1,71 a 1,80). Las AC más frecuentes fueron las cardiopatías septales (prevalencia por 10 000: 28,6), síndrome de Down (prevalencia por 10 000: 19,2), fisura de labio +/- paladar hendido (prevalencia por 10 000: 12) y el conjunto de los defectos del tubo neural (prevalencia por 10 000: 11,9). Conclusiones. El RENAC ha logrado una alta cobertura en el sector público y las diferencias de prevalencia con otros registros se atribuyen a aspectos operativos o a diferencias reales, según los casos. El RENAC aborda no solo la recolección, análisis y difusión de información sobre AC en la Argentina, sino también contribuye a las intervenciones locales.Introduction.The National Registry of Congenital Anomalies (Registro Nacional de Anomalías Congénitas, RENAC) is a hospital-based surveillance system for newborn infants with major morphological congenital anomalies (CAs). The objective of this study was to describe the characteristics and operation of the RENAC registry and the prevalence at birth of 56 specific selected CAs, compared to other registries. Population and Methods.The organization of the RENAC registry was initiated in public hospitals with 1000 or more births per year or which are the referral hospitals in a determined health region. Neonatologists are in charge of data collection, and a central coordination department is in charge of encoding, statistical analyses and regular reports. The RENAC registry uses an online forum for data submission and for guidance and interaction regarding the initial management of cases. Results. Between November 1st, 2009 and June 30th, 2012, 98 hospitals were included in the registry, the annual coverage of these hospitals is 65% in the public sector and 35% of births in Argentina. In this period, 294 005 newborn infants were examined, and 5165 cases with major CAs were detected (1.76%; 95% CI: 1.71-1.80). The most frequent CAs were septal heart defects (prevalence per 10 000: 28.6), Down’s syndrome (prevalence per 10 000: 19.2), cleft lip +/- palate (prevalence per 10 000: 12), and a set of neural tube defects (prevalence per 10 000: 11.9). Conclusions.The RENAC has reached a high coverage in the public sector and the differences in prevalence with other registries can be related to operational aspects or actual differences, depending on the case. The RENAC deals with the collection, analysis and dissemination of information about CAs in Argentina, and also contributes with local interventions.Fil: Groisman, Boris. Direccion Nacional de Instituto de Investigacion. Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud "Dr. Carlos G. Malbran". Centro Nacional de Genetica Medica; ArgentinaFil: Bidondo, María Paz. Direccion Nacional de Instituto de Investigacion. Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud "Dr. Carlos G. Malbran". Centro Nacional de Genetica Medica; ArgentinaFil: Barbero, Pablo. Direccion Nacional de Instituto de Investigacion. Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud "Dr. Carlos G. Malbran". Centro Nacional de Genetica Medica; ArgentinaFil: Gili, Juan Antonio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Estudios Médicos e Investigaciones Clínicas; ArgentinaFil: Liascovich, Rosa. Direccion Nacional de Instituto de Investigacion. Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud "Dr. Carlos G. Malbran". Centro Nacional de Genetica Medica; ArgentinaFil: Lopez Camelo, Jorge Santiago. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Estudios Médicos e Investigaciones Clínicas; ArgentinaFil: Grupo de Trabajo RENAC

Analysis on risk factors associated with birth defects in newborns in the area of the Matanza-Riachuelo river basin.

Introduction: Matanza-Riachuelo basin is one of the most polluted sites in Argentina, with 4,885,000 inhabitants. This study evaluated risk factors associated with congenital anomalies (CA) and low birth weight. Methods: case-control study in three hospitals belonging to the National Network of Congenital Anomalies (RENAC) for one year. We evaluated the association of socioeconomic level, reproductive factors, and distance between place of residence to industrial pollution places and from watercourses of the river, with low birth weight and CA. Results: The prevalence of congenital anomalies in newborn was 1.93% (95% CI:1.64 - 2.25). There were associated risk factors such as acute maternal diseases and consumption of drugs. Cases had weight and gestational age significantly lower and higher maternal age than the controls. We did not find association between low birth weight and prevalence of congenital anomalies with distance from the housing of pregnant women to sources of contamination. Conclusions: This study is the first research in Argentina with geo-referenced data and newborn with CA. It has shown the feasibility of carrying out this type of research to evaluate risk factors in the RENAC. Future research to assess specific type of CA should be conducted to corroborate the results of this stud

Comparative external validation of the PRECISE-DAPT and PARIS risk scores in 4424 acute coronary syndrome patients treated with prasugrel or ticagrelor

Background: The PRECISE-DAPT and PARIS risk scores (RSs) were recently developed to help clinicians at individualizing the optimal dual antiplatelet therapy duration (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Nevertheless, external validation of these RSs it has not yet been performed in ACS (acute coronary syndrome) patients treated with prasugrel or ticagrelor in a real- world scenario. Methods: 4424 ACS patients who underwent PCI and survived to hospital discharge, from January 2012 to December 2016 at 12 European centers, were included. PRECISE-DAPT and PARIS bleeding RS, as well as PARIS ischemic RS, were computed, and their performance at predicting major bleeding (MB; BARC type 3 or 5) and ischemic events (MI and stent thrombosis) during follow up was compared. Results: After a median follow-up of 14 (interquartile range 12–20.9) months, 83 (1.88%) patients developed MB and 133 (3.0%) suffered an ischemic episode. PRECISE-DAPT performed better than PARIS bleeding RS (c-statistic = 0.653 vs. 0.593; p =.01 for comparison) in predicting MB. The RSs performance for MB prediction remained consistent in STEMI patients (c-statistic = 0.632 vs 0.575) or in those treated with prasugrel (c-statistic = 0.623 vs 0.586). PARIS ischemic RS exhibited superior discrimination in predicting ischemic complications compared to PRECISE-DAPT (c-statistic = 0.604 vs 0.568 p =.05 for comparison). Conclusion: Our data provide support to the use of PRECISE-DAPT in MB risk stratification for patients receiving DAPT in form of aspirin and prasugrel or ticagrelor whereas the PARIS ischemic RS has potential to complement the risk prediction with respect to ischemic events

Average daily ischemic versus bleeding risk in patients with ACS undergoing PCI: Insights from the BleeMACS and RENAMI registries

Background: The risk of recurrent ischemia and bleeding after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) may vary during the first year of follow-up according to clinical presentation, and medical and interventional strategies. Methods: BleeMACS and RENAMI are 2 multicenter registries enrolling patients with ACS treated with PCI and clopidogrel, prasugrel, or ticagrelor. The average daily ischemic and bleeding risks (ADIR and ADBR) in the first year after PCI were the primary end points. The difference between ADBR and ADIR was calculated to estimate the potential excess of bleeding/ischemic events in a given period or specific subgroup. Results: A total of 19,826 patients were included. Overall, in the first year after PCI, the ADBR was 0.008085%, whereas ADIR was 0.008017% (P =.886). In the first 2 weeks ADIR was higher than ADBR (P =.013), especially in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction or incomplete revascularization. ADIR continued to be, albeit non-significantly, greater than ADBR up to the third month, whereas ADBR became higher, although not significantly, afterward. Patients with incomplete revascularization had an excess in ischemic risk (P =.003), whereas non–ST-segment elevation ACS patients and those on ticagrelor had an excess of bleeding (P =.012 and P =.022, respectively). Conclusions: In unselected ACS patients, ADIR and ADBR occurred at similar rates within 1 year after PCI. ADIR was greater than ADBR in the first 2 weeks, especially in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients and those with incomplete revascularization. In the first year, ADIR was higher than ADBR in patients with incomplete revascularization, whereas ADBR was higher in non–ST-segment elevation ACS patients and in those discharged on ticagrelor