Abstract

DYCE GORDON, Elisa; MORAS BRACERO, Fidel; LEON VARGAS, María  and  CONDE DIAZ, Oscar. Evaluación del programa de diagnóstico prenatal de las malformaciones congénitas por cuantificación de la alfafetoproteína: Camagüey 1985-1998. Rev Cubana Invest Bioméd [online]. 2003, vol.22, n.1, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1561-3011.

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at "Dr. Eduardo Agramonte Piña" Pediatric Hospital, in Camagüey, aimed at evaluating the Program of prenatal diagnosis of congenital malformations by the quantification of the alpha-fetoprotein in maternal serum. Data of the pregnant women screened from June, 1985, to December, 1988, were used. Data were taken from the book of entry of samples of maternal serum and from the books for the control of alpha-fetoprotein elevations, as well as from the annual reports of the Program of Genetics and the Provincial Registry of infant mortality. The catchment of expectants increased during the last years, growing by 99.3 % in 1996. The total coverage was 92.2 %. The total percentage of alpha-fetoprotein elevations was 5.5. The main cause of the rise of the protein was the mistake made on estimating gestational age (23.3 %). followed by twin births (4.5 %) , congenital malformations and other abnormalities (3.7 %), and fetal loss (3.2 %). The most diagnosed malformations were the defects of the neural tube and those of the anterior abdominal wall. Of the total of prenatally diagnosed malformations, 48.23 % (N =299) evolved with serum elevation of alpha-fetoprotein. The infant mortality rate due to congenital abnormalities decreased from 2.71, in 1985, to 1.77 per 1 000 live births, in 1998. The Program of prenatal diagnosis of congenital malformations by determining alpha-fetoprotein in maternal serum has been improved in time. A proof of it is the increase of screenings among pregnant women and of the number and type of diagnosed malformations, as well as the reduction of infant mortality from these abnormalities.

Keywords : DIAGNOSTICO PRENATAL; MORTALIDAD INFANTIL; PLANES Y PROGRAMAS DE SALUD; PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS; ABNORMALITIES [diagnosis]; ALPHA-FETOPROTEINS [diagnostic use]; FETAL DISEASES [diagnosis]; INFANT MORTALITY; HEALTH PLANS AND PROGRAMMES.

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