HPPŠ RISK REGISTRY FOR BABIES
Z. Modrušan-Mozetič, M. Križ, E. Paučić-Kirinčić, A. Sasso, Igor Prpić, I. Vlašić-Cicvarić
Regional Registry for babies at risk and handicapped children has been established in October, 1st 1981 at the Department of Paediatrics University Hospital Centre Rijeka covering three north-western counties of Croatia. Simultaneously started the Ambulance for children with neurodevelopment disorders. The aim of this paper is to illustrate methods of work of Registry and Ambulance and their significance in early detection and consequently early treatment of such children.Presented results reflect a part of twenty years of work of the Registry concerning children born and domiciled in Rijeka and surroundings. Developmental disturbances include cerebral palsy, mental retardation, visual, hearing and speaking impairment, communicating, educational and socialisation difficulties. Prevalence of cerebral palsy (CP) is 3,6 on 1000 newborns (123 CP on 33778 newborns). Prematurity, asphyxia, neurological simptomatology and every severe illness or infection in neonatal period are risk factors with the worst prognosis for all risk factors we carry out. Among 123 children with cerebral palsy born and domiciled in Rijeka and surroundings between years 1982. and 1997, 104 (84,6%) was born before 37th week of gestation - and 19 (15,4%) in or after 37th week of gestation. The analysis of sharing of children with cerebral palsy in particular gestational age groups point out the correlation: the shortest is the duration of gestation the highest is the prevalence of cerebral palsy. At risk babies are not á priori handicapped they must only be followed up with maximal attention and treated adequately.