National Health Care Network for children with oral clefts: organization, functioning, and preliminary outcomes

Abstract

Introduction. Oral clefts are major congenital anomalies that may affect the lip and/or palate, and that may also involve the nose and nostrils. In Argentina, their prevalence is approximately 15 per 10 000 births. In 2015, the Ministry of Health of Argentina created a national health care network for children with oral clefts in Argentina through the joint work with the National Registry of Congenital Anomalies (Red Nacional de Anomaliás Congénitas, RENAC) (coordinating center for the national network) and the SUMAR Program. The objective of this study was to describe the health care network and its preliminary outcomes. Population and methods. A total of 61 centers that provided a comprehensive treatment for oral clefts or in collaboration with other centers were identified and accredited. Maternity centers were connected with treating centers grouped in health care network nodes. Results. In the period between March 2015 and February 2016, 550 newborn infants who were exclusively covered by the public health care system were identified. Among these, 18% had a cleft lip; 62%, cleft lip and palate; and 20%, cleft palate only; 75% were isolated cases and 25%, in association with other congenital anomalies. Conclusion. Approximately 70% of children were assessed by a certified treating institution and are receiving treatment. The network seeks to improve data systematization, include the largest number of centers possible, strengthen interdisciplinary team work, and promote highquality standards for treatments.