Resumen

MARQUEZ, Sara et al. Hospitalization related to birth defects at the Pereira Rossell Hospital Center. Arch. Pediatr. Urug. [online]. 2015, vol.86, n.3, pp.167-175. ISSN 1688-1249.

Introduction: congenital anomalies represent one of the main causes of child mortality in Uruguay. Up to 25% of hospitalizations in high-complexity centers are due to pathologies related with congenital defects. Objective: to contribute to the knowledge of disease burden due to congenital anomalies. The frequency of hospitalizations, their clinical characteristics, and the types of congenital defects, the reasons for hospitalization, the duration of hospital stay, and the levels and types of caring required are explored. Method: descriptive, prospective study, in which all  patients under 15 years of age, carriers of congenital defects, hospitalized in intermediate care areas of the CHPR Children’s Hospital for a period of 6 months, were included, regardless of the reason for admission. Neonatology services and surgical wards were excluded. Results: out of the total of admitted children, 5.1% presented congenital defects. Diagnosis was prenatal in 13.6%. The defect was single in 75%.  The reasons for admission were pathologies related to the congenital defects in 80%.  The average hospital stay of these children was 9.5 days, higher than the general average hospital stay which was 4.6 days (p<0.05). 15.2% of the children required admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Conclusions: it is the first description of the frequency and characteristics of hospitalization related to congenital defects in the intermediate care area of the CHPR Children’s Hospital.  In spite of the inclusion bias, findings show the specialized caring demand and the high morbidity of these children. Future research is needed to analyze the risk factors related to this health issue.

Palabras clave : CONGENITAL ABNORMALITIES; PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS; HOSPITALIZATION.

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