Microcephaly in newborns in level II and III health facilities of the Ministry of Health of Peru

Authors

  • Gabriela Santos-Antonio Instituto Nacional de Salud. Lima, Perú. Obstetra
  • Fredy Canchihuamán Instituto Nacional de Salud. Lima, Perú. Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. Lima, Perú. médico cirujano, PhD
  • Lucio Huamán-Espino Instituto Nacional de Salud. Lima, Perú. sociólogo, PhD
  • Juan Pablo Aparco Instituto Nacional de Salud. Lima, Perú. nutricionista, MSc.
  • Jenny Pillaca Instituto Nacional de Salud. Lima, Perú. estadístico
  • Daniel Guillén-Pinto Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. Lima, Perú. Hospital Cayetano Heredia. Lima, Perú. neurólogo pediatra, PhD
  • Ernesto Gozzer Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. Lima, Perú. médico cirujano, MSc

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17843/rpmesp.2019.362.4045

Keywords:

Microcephaly, Cephalic perimeter, Prevalence, Methods, Diagnosis, Zika, Peru

Abstract

Objectives. To determine the ratio of microcephaly in newborns in level II and III health facilities of the Ministry of Health (MINSA) of Peru for the period 2005-2013. Materials and Methods. A secondary analysis of the databases of the Perinatal Information System was carried out during 2005-2013. Microcephaly was identified applying World Health Organization (WHO), Fenton, mixed (WHO-Fenton), and proportionality criteria. The ratios and indices of microcephaly were estimated per 10,000 live births (LB) by region and concordance was compared, using the WHO parameter as a reference. Results. The ratio of microcephaly during 2005 to 2013 was 3.4%, the average rate of microcephaly was 335 per 10,000 LBs according to the WHO criterion. The mixed parameter showed a substantial concordance (Kappa of 0.635), while the proportionality parameter showed a reasonable concordance (Kappa of 0.298). Conclusions. The ratio of microcephaly in MINSA Level II and III health facilities was higher than that reported in other countries in the region before the appearance of Zika in the Americas. The frequency variations observed with those of other countries and among Peruvian regions could be explained by different factors, such as the technique for measuring head circumference, data capture, constitutional factors, and social determinants. We suggest standardizing measurements and their recording, harmonizing diagnostic criteria, and establishing health strategies to strengthen the epidemiological surveillance of the causes of microcephaly.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Published

2019-06-28

Issue

Section

Original Article

How to Cite

1.
Santos-Antonio G, Canchihuamán F, Huamán-Espino L, Aparco JP, Pillaca J, Guillén-Pinto D, et al. Microcephaly in newborns in level II and III health facilities of the Ministry of Health of Peru. Rev Peru Med Exp Salud Publica [Internet]. 2019 Jun. 28 [cited 2024 Oct. 15];36(2):222-30. Available from: https://rpmesp.ins.gob.pe/index.php/rpmesp/article/view/4045

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 3 4 > >>