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Introduction: The ROP Argentina Group was created in 2003 and is responsible for the National Program for the Prevention of Blindness in Childhood by Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) in Argentina., Objetives: To describe the program implementation and results achieved in relation to ROP care in terms of effectiveness, access, and quality (2004-2016)., Population and Methods: Descriptive, retrospective study with a dynamic cohort carried out in facilities that are part of the registry. Eligible population: All preterm newborn infants with risk factors for ROP., Results: Participating health care services increased from 14 to 98 and covered the 23 provinces and the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. A total of 956 infants were born with < 1500 g in 2004 and 2739, in 2016. Of these, 22.7 % had some degree of ROP and 7.8 % required treatment (severe ROP). Vision screening exceeded 90 %, and treatments at the place of origin increased (57 %-92 %). The incidence of unusual cases is still high (17.3 % of treated cases), and missed opportunities are still recorded. The use of anti-angiogenic drugs trebled since 2011, when they started to be used., Conclusions: Significant achievements were observed in terms of program representativeness, scope, and adherence, and also in relation to screening access and treatment at the place of origin; however, the incidence of ROP is still high. The persistence of unusual cases and missed opportunities evidences deficiencies in the quality of health care and outpatient followup and underlines the need to strengthen the program actions in relation to services., (Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría.)

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a largely avoidable cause of blindness in children worldwide, requiring high-quality neonatal care, early detection and treatment. In middle-income countries throughout Latin America, Eastern Europe and South Asia, there has been a rise in ROP blindness due to a combination of increased survival of preterm infants, resource-scarce medical environments and lack of policies, training and human resources. However, Argentina is an example of country where rates of ROP blindness have declined and ROP programmes have been successfully and effectively embedded within the health and legal system. The purpose of this study is to describe the activities and stakeholders, including Ministry of Health (MoH) and UNICEF, involved in the process, from recognition of an epidemic of ROP blindness to the development of national guidelines, policies and legislation for control. Using a retrospective mixed methods case study design, data on rates of severe ROP was collected from 13 neonatal intensive care units from 1999 to 2012, and on the proportion of children blind from ROP in nine blind schools in seven provinces. Legislative document review, focus group discussions and key informant interviews were conducted with neonatologists, ophthalmologists, neonatal nurses, parents, MoH officials, clinical societies, legislators and UNICEF officials in seven provinces. Results are presented combining the stages heuristic policy framework and Shiffman including: agenda setting, policy formulation, implementation and evaluation. By 2012, ROP had declined as a cause of blindness in children in schools for the blind as had rates of severe ROP needing treatment in the NICUs visited. Multiple factors played a role in reducing blindness from ROP in Argentina and successfully coordinating its control including national advocacy, leadership, legislation and international collaboration. Lessons learned in Argentina can potentially be scaled to other LMICs in Latin America and beyond with further context-specific research.

Unlabelled: Argentine's neonatal mortality rate represents 60% of infant mortality; implementation of strategies that improve quality of neonatal care is a priority. Traditionally, the training of health professionals is accomplished through scientific meetings with little capacity for exchange; in-service training incorporates the identification and resolution of problems joining the daily patient care., Objective: To describe the in-service training program (ISTP), to identify its strengths as strategies for quality of care improvement and to evaluate its impact in four different Argentine maternity services., Design: health services research intervention study, not controlled, before and after evaluation., Intervention: This program is a multidimensional strategy consisting in regular visits by a neonatologist and a nurse to health professionals in their own settings. Program stages: 1) service assessment and design of the action plan according to the priorities, 2) implementation, 3) consolidation and analysis through indicators., Results: Greatest impact was found over equipment and human resources improvement; we also observed an improvement in management related aspects like organization and coordination of care. The reduction of preventable deaths varied between centers., Conclusions: The in-service training program is an effective tool with measurable quantitative and qualitative results with positive impact on the quality of care. Conjunctural factors and political will were determinant on the program's success, as it is commonly seen in the implementation of strategies that involve changing established structures.

Introduction: Retinopathy of prematurity may lead to partial loss of vision and blindness; laser photocoagulation is the elective treatment, but universal access to it is not yet guaranteed in Argentina., Objectives: To estimate prevalence of children requiring laser for retinopathy, their clinical and demographic characteristics, place of origin and place of treatment. POPULATION, MATERIAL AND METHOD: Observational, descriptive and retrospective study., Population: premature newborns who required treatment at public services during 2008., Variables: Birth weight and gestational age, prognosis, unusual cases and missed opportunities., Source: 27 public services from 18/24 provinces., Results: 235 patients who required treatment were recorded (Garrahan Hospital: 86; Gutiérrez Hospital: 45, and 104 from 25 other hospitals) from 77 public services and 13 private services from 22/24 provinces, where 210,720 babies born at the same period. Cases from Buenos Aires Province were referred mainly to Garrahan Hospital, all cases from Buenos Aires City and 2/3 from the rest of the country were treated in situ. Prognosis was defined as reserved at 15% and 5 missed opportunities occurred all in referred babies. Unusual cases were 27% of the total reported., Conclusion: In this population retinopathy prevalence was 1/900 birth in 2008. The proportion of unusual cases, reserved prognosis and missed opportunities was high. A national record and improved access to treatment in situ are urgently needed.

Introduction: Increasing survival of preterm newborns and current care deficits result in high rates of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), affecting patients with higher birth weight (BW) and gestational age (GA) than those at developed countries; unusual cases (UC) and missed opportunities (MO) are reported., Objective: To describe epidemiology of ROP during 2008 compared with the previous year. POPULATION, MATERIAL AND METHOD: Observational, descriptive and retrospective study., Population: Preterm babies with BW < 1,500 g and/or < or = 32 w GA and > or = 1,500 g and/or 33-36 w who received oxygen therapy., Source: 31 public services from 20/24 Provinces., Variables: BW, GA, ophthalmologic screening, age at 1st control, ROP Grade, treatment requirement, place of treatment and time of complete ROP screening., Results: Responses were obtained from 24/31 services from 16 Provinces (84,200 newborns) identifying 3,371 newborns at risk, 956 < 1,500 g BW. Screening was done in 90%; it was late in 6%. Neonatal discharge before complete ROP screening occurred in 93%. ROP rate was 11.93%; 26.25% in < 1,500 g BW. Treatment was required at 2.60%; of them, 7% were < 1,500 g BW; 20.3% were UC, one infant was a MO. Treatment need increased 20% at 2008 vs. 2007, without significant difference. Changes were not observed at median BW and GA and UC. Treatment in situ was 75% in 2008, similar to 2007., Conclusions: Incidence of ROP in public hospitals of Argentina is worrisome. Rates in 2008 have not improved compared with 2007, expressing that criteria for prevention are not yet consolidated. Screening and access to treatment must improve.