Evaluation of Craniofacial Care outside the Brazilian Reference Network for Craniofacial Treatment

Assessment of Brazilian hospital and healthcare service infrastructure for cleft lip and palate patients

Cleft lip and palate (CLP) represent the most frequently reported congenital anomaly affecting the craniofacial region. The aim of this study was to assess the output (in number of procedures) of the Brazilian hospitals accredited for the treatment of CLP patients, examine the referral flow of patients requiring this type of care, and ascertain the adequacy of the corresponding infrastructure of these healthcare facilities. Methodologically, the study used an observational, cross-sectional, and ecological design. Output data, categorized by state and macro-region, and patient referral flow records were accessible through the Outpatient Information System (SIA, in its Portuguese acronym) and the Hospital Information System (SIH, in Portuguese), respectively. Infrastructure assessment relied on data sourced from the National Register of Health Establishments (CNES, in Portuguese). Analysis encompassed data from 28 accredited hospitals. Concerning output metrics, the state of São Paulo ranked first in the number of procedures conducted. The establishments exhibiting the lowest output performance comprised six hospitals located in the Southeast region and two in the Center-West region. Examination of patient referral flow corroborated the concentration of procedures predominantly conducted in the Southeast, notably within São Paulo state. Infrastructure evaluation encompassed the following categories: physical facilities, diagnostic and therapeutic support services, equipment, and comprehensive multidisciplinary care services. The data showed that roughly 61% of the hospitals surveyed possessed less than half of the recommended items. The primary deficiency identified pertained to inadequacies in equipment availability. Conversely, the best outcomes were associated with diagnostic and therapeutic support services. It was concluded that enhancing hospital infrastructure is imperative for the amelioration of care provision to patients with CLP across all Brazilian states.

Surgical rehabilitation of cleft lip and/or palate: evaluation of the Brazilian public health system

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the surgical rehabilitation of cleft lip and/or palate by the Brazilian public health system.

METHODS

Retrospective, analytical and comparative ecological study, with information on hospital procedures performed on individuals with cleft lip and/or palate in Centers authorized by the Brazilian public health system, between the years 2008 and 2020. The information was collected in databases Ministry of Health data.

RESULTS

Between 2008 and 2020, there was an increase of 8 (36.4%) qualified Centers in Brazil, currently having 30 Centers in 100% of the geographic regions. The surgical procedures performed totaled 68,716; with multiple surgeries being the most frequent. Complete cleft lip and palate was the most frequent type in hospital admissions. The public financial resources invested in the surgical rehabilitation of cleft lip and palate in the qualified Lip and Palate Malformation Treatment Centers were US$ 39,693 million, making an average value per procedure of US$ 577.64.

CONCLUSIONS

In Brazil, public health system performed and financed, over the years 2008 and 2020, an important volume of surgical procedures for cleft lip and/or palate, which presented a polarization in the Southeast region but with a slight tendency expansion to other regions of the country. The most performed surgical procedures were multiple surgeries and mostly for individuals with cleft lip and palate. The amounts paid showed a heretogeneous distribution in the national territory.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 5: Report containing program evaluation data.

[Factors associated with the delay in primary surgical treatment of cleft lip and palate in Brazil: a multilevel analysis]

This study analyzed the delay in the primary surgical treatment of patients with cleft lip and palate in Brazil performed under the Unified Health System (SUS), and the effect of the sociodemographic context and municipal socioeconomic indicators on access to this treatment (2009-2013). Data from the Decentralized Hospital Information System relating to all hospital authorization forms paid for primary cleft lip and/or palate surgeries and socioeconomic data (2010) was used. The ages recommended by the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (12 months for lip surgeries and 18 months for palate surgeries) were used as parameters. The prevalence of delay observed in primary lip surgeries was 66.4% and in palate surgeries was 71.2%. The North and Northeast regions had the worst percentages of delay. Non-whites had a greater prevalence of delay in cleft lip surgeries with PR = 1.40 (1.30-1.50) and cleft palate surgeries with PR = 1.27 (1.21-1.33). The multilevel analysis identified the influence of self-reported skin color and Human Development Index (HDI) on the delay of primary lip surgery, and of HDI on the delay of palate surgery. The importance of social determination on the access to primary cleft lip and palate surgeries was evident.

Brazil's Craniofacial Project: Different approaches on orofacial clefts and 22q11.2 deletion syndrome

This article reports the present situation of Brazilian health care in genetics for Orofacial Cleft (OFC) and 22q11.2 Deletions Syndrome (22q11.2 DS) based on research conducted by Brazil's Craniofacial Project (BCFP). Established in 2003, BCFP is a voluntary and cooperative network aiming to investigate the health care of people with these diseases and other craniofacial anomalies. The initiatives and research results are presented in four sections: (a) a comprehensive report of the Brazilian public health system in craniofacial genetics; (b) multicentric studies developed on OFC and 22q11.2 DS; (c) education strategies focused on addressing these conditions for both population and health-care professionals; and (d) the nosology through the Brazilian Database on Craniofacial Anomalies (BDCA). Since 2006, BDCA uses a standardized method with detailed clinical data collection, which allows for conducting studies on nosology, genotype-phenotype correlations, and natural history; data can also contribute to public policies. Currently, the BDCA stores data on 1,724 individuals, including 1,351 (78.36%) who were primarily admitted due to OFC and 373 (21.63%) with clinical suspicion of 22q11.2 DS. Chromosomal abnormalities/genomic imbalances were represented by 92/213 (43.19%) individuals with syndromic OFC, including 43 with 22q11.2 DS, which indicates the need for chromosomal microarray analysis in this group. The nosologic diversity reinforces that monitoring clinical is the best strategy for etiological investigation. BCFP's methodology has introduced the possibility of increasing scientific knowledge and genetic diagnosis of OFC and 22q11.2 DS to in turn improve health care and policies for this group of diseases.

Testing criteria for 22q11.2 deletion syndrome: preliminary results of a low cost strategy for public health

BACKGROUND

The clinical heterogeneity of the 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22q11.2DS - OMIM, #188400 and #192430) is a universal challenge leading to diagnostic delay. The aim of this study was to evaluate a low cost strategy for the diagnosis of this condition based upon clinical criteria previously reported. Health professionals, who collected clinical data, from twelve centers were trained in those criteria, which were summed through an online application (CranFlow).

RESULTS

Clinical and laboratorial data of 347 individuals registered from 2008 to 2017 in the Brazilian Database on Craniofacial Anomalies/22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome, were reviewed. They were divided in two groups: (I) 168 individuals investigated before the definition of the criteria and (II) 179 individuals investigated after the criteria application. All of them were investigated for 22q11.2DS by Fluorescent in situ Hybridization (FISH) and/or Multiplex Ligation Probe-dependent Amplification (MLPA), detecting 98 cases with 22q11.2DS. Among the individuals with 22q11.2DS in Group II, 42/53 (79.25%) fulfilled the proposed criteria against 11/53 (20.75%) who did not fulfill them (p < .0001). The association of congenital heart diseases with high predictive value for 22q11.2DS and hypernasal voice were significantly associated to the presence of 22q11.2DS (p = 0.0172 and p < .0001, respectively). In addition, 22q11.2DS was confirmed 3.82 more times when the individuals fulfilled the proposed criteria. Of the 249 cases negative for the typical deletion in 22q11.2, Chromosomal Microarray Analysis (CMA) was performed in 132 individuals and detected pathogenic alterations at other genomic regions in 19 individuals, and variants of uncertain clinical significance in 31 cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Therefore, a locus-specific approach could be used to individuals with positive criteria as a cost-effective alternative for 22q11.2DS diagnosis. The authors discuss advantages and suggest ways of implementing this approach to investigate 22q11.2DS in a public health system.

Feeding Infants with Cleft Lip and/or Palate in Brazil: Suggestions to Improve Health Policy and Research

Objective

To verify feeding resources used prior to corrective surgery among cleft babies from Brazil and to discuss suggestions to improve common feeding problems around the world.

Design

Cross-sectional descriptive study conducted at eight medical centers.

Participants

A total of 215 parents or guardians of cleft children.

Methods

Interview based upon a prevalidated questionnaire. The chi-square test and comparison of means by analysis of variance were used; significance level adopted was 5% ( P < .05).

Results

Feeding guidelines were provided in the maternity unit to 53% of the families. Breastfeeding was encouraged among 80% of mothers, predominantly in the South ( P = .016). However, follow-up after maternity discharge was not appropriately carried out and failure to breast-feed occurred in 78% of families. The feeding tube was used in 21%. According to families, for those who used the ordinary nipple, it was considered the best option by the majority (29%).

Conclusion

Neonatal feeding in cleft babies is a global challenge. Reports about the difficulties encountered and successful experiences would be helpful to disseminate strategies and stimulate research directed at the large-scale applicability of neonatal feeding for cleft babies on public health. This study detected the need to increase professional training and emphasizes the need for public policies addressing neonatal referral to specialized care wherever possible. It also stimulates research into using an ordinary nipple as another resource for feeding cleft babies and suggests an international discussion about specific recommendations for humanized primary health care.

Local Strategies to Address Health Needs of Individuals with Orofacial Clefts in Alagoas, Brazil

Objective

To describe demographic and clinical-genetic characteristics of patients from a poor area of Brazil and to share experience on how the local genetic unit has addressed their major health needs.

Design

Descriptive cohort.

Setting

A clinical-genetic unit, a cytogenetics unit, and a regional cleft team located in the northeast and southeast of Brazil.

Participants

A total of 133 individuals with orofacial clefts who attended the surgical call of a nongovernmental organization. From this group, 125, 77, and 13 patients completed phases 1, 2, and 3, respectively.

Methods

Phase 1 comprised a description of demographic characteristics recorded through interviews. Phase 2 included a clinical-genetic evaluation using a pretested form, as well as cytogenetic analyses of selected patients. Phase 3 comprised collaborative action to address major health needs of patients without primary surgery. The Fisher test was used for statistics with p value < .05.

Results

A majority of patients were rural residents with isolated cleft lip with cleft palate. Ages ranged between 0 and 30 years. Fifty percent had never undergone surgery; whereas, 100% had never attended a genetic evaluation. Isolated cleft was diagnosed in 77.9%, syndromes in 14.3%, and multiple congenital abnormalities in 7.8%. Positive familial history of clefts occurred in 28%; whereas, parental consanguinity was present in 7.8% cases. A total of 23 individuals without cleft surgery were registered for multidisciplinary treatment.

Conclusions

Findings revealed high levels of unmet medical needs and provided an evidence base for health care planning. Collaborative action was crucial and might be applied to other regions in Brazil.

Implementing the brazilian database on orofacial clefts

Background. High-quality clinical and genetic descriptions are crucial to improve knowledge of orofacial clefts and support specific healthcare polices. The objective of this study is to discuss the potential and perspectives of the Brazilian Database on Orofacial Clefts. Methods. From 2008 to 2010, clinical and familial information on 370 subjects was collected by geneticists in eight different services. Data was centrally processed using an international system for case classification and coding. Results. Cleft lip with cleft palate amounted to 198 (53.5%), cleft palate to 99 (26.8%), and cleft lip to 73 (19.7%) cases. Parental consanguinity was present in 5.7% and familial history of cleft was present in 26.3% subjects. Rate of associated major plus minor defects was 48% and syndromic cases amounted to 25% of the samples. Conclusions. Overall results corroborate the literature. Adopted tools are user friendly and could be incorporated into routine patient care. The BDOC exemplifies a network for clinical and genetic research. The data may be useful to develop and improve personalized treatment, family planning, and healthcare policies. This experience should be of interest for geneticists, laboratory-based researchers, and clinicians entrusted with OC worldwide.

Genetics and public health: the experience of a reference center for diagnosis of 22q11.2 deletion in Brazil and suggestions for implementing genetic testing

Considering the prevalence of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2 DS) of around 1:4,000 and of palatal abnormalities in 70 % of the cases of 22q11.2 DS and taking into account the Brazilian health system and its current situation of medical genetic services, this study aims to contribute to establish strategies for genetic diagnosis. The access to genetic testing at 11 services was investigated and samples from 100 patients with palatal abnormalities and suspicion of 22q11.2 DS were sent to a reference center. Laboratorial techniques included karyotyping, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification. Costs were also calculated. Disparities among centers for genetic diagnosis were evident, with remarkable regional differences. Some of the obstacles encountered were difficulties for families to show up for medical appointments, complementary evaluations, and for the clinics to send the samples to the reference center. A conclusive diagnosis was reached for 38 % of patients. Combination of karyotyping and FISH had better laboratorial cost-effectiveness. These results might represent the reality for the investigation of other genetic conditions. Clinical and laboratorial approaches herein presented could be adapted for use under different genetic conditions in the Brazilian health system, which has relatively limited financial and human resources. Suggestions for the rational implementation of genetic testing in developing countries are presented.