Objetivos: Estimar la proporción de trabajos presentados en Encuentros Nacionales de Investigación Pediátrica que posteriormente fueron publicados en forma completa; describir sus diseños y factores involucrados con la no publicación. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo y analítico, que incluyó todos los trabajos presentados en Encuentros Nacionales de Investigación Pediátrica (1998-2011). Se identificó un investigador por estudio y se lo encuestó sobre el diseño, la publicación y los factores asociados a la no publicación. Resultados: Sobre 746 trabajos presentados, respondieron la encuesta los autores de 522 (70%). El 84,3% eran estudios observacionales y 15,7%, experimentales; 34% recibieron financiación. Fueron publicados posteriormente 217 trabajos (41,5%, IC 95%: 37,3-45,9). Aquellos con financiación tuvieron mayor probabilidad de publicarse (OR 2; IC 95%: 1,4-2,9; p < 0,001). Las causas de no publicación más frecuentes fueron la falta de tiempo, el tamaño muestral insuficiente y la dificultad con el financiamiento. Conclusión: El 41,5% de trabajos presentados en Encuentros Nacionales de Investigación Pediátrica alcanzaron la publicación en texto completo. La falta de tiempo fue la principal causa para no hacerlo.

This study aimed to evaluate well-documented diagnostic antigens, named B13, 1F8 and JL7 recombinant proteins, as potential markers of seroconversion in treated chagasic patients. Prospective study, involving 203 patients treated with benznidazole, was conducted from endemic areas of northern Argentina. Follow-up was possible in 107 out of them and blood samples were taken for serology and PCR assays before and 2, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months after treatment initiation. Reactivity against Trypanosoma cruzi lysate and recombinant antigens was measured by ELISA. The rate of decrease of antibody titers showed nonlinear kinetics with an abrupt drop within the first three months after initiation of treatment for all studied antigens, followed by a plateau displaying a low decay until the end of follow-up. At this point, anti-B13, anti-1F8 and anti-JL7 titers were relatively close to the cut-off line, while anti-T. cruzi antibodies still remained positive. At baseline, 60.8% (45/74) of analysed patients tested positive for parasite DNA by PCR and during the follow-up period in 34 out of 45 positive samples (75.5%) could not be detected T. cruzi DNA. Our results suggest that these antigens might be useful as early markers for monitoring antiparasitic treatment in chronic Chagas disease.

The primary objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of this disease in women of childbearing age and children treated at health centres in underserviced areas of the city of Buenos Aires. Demographic and Chagas disease status data were collected. Samples for Chagas disease serology were obtained on filter paper and the reactive results were confirmed with conventional samples. A total of 1,786 subjects were screened and 73 positive screening results were obtained: 17 were from children and 56 were from women. The Trypanosoma cruzi infection risk was greater in those individuals who had relatives with Chagas disease, who remember seeing kissing bugs, who were of Bolivian nationality or were born in the Argentine province of Santiago del Estero. The overall prevalence of Chagas disease was 4.08%. Due to migration, Chagas disease is currently predominantly urban. The observed prevalence requires health programme activities that are aimed at urban children and their mothers. Most children were infected congenitally, which reinforces the need for Chagas disease screening of all pregnant women and their babies in Argentina. The active search for new cases is important because the appropriate treatment in children has a high cure rate.

It is currently unknown whether treatment of Chagas disease decreases the risk of congenital transmission from previously treated mothers to their infants. In a cohort of women with Chagas disease previously treated with benznidazole, no congenital transmission of the disease was observed in their newborns. This finding provides support for the treatment of Chagas disease as early as possible.

The National Immunization Commission and the National Program for the Control of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (Programa Nacional de Control de Enfermedades Inmunoprevenibles, ProNaCEI) updated the immunization policy in relation to Bordetella pertussis (BP) in 2009 in order to improve the control of this disease in accordance with international recommendations. To evaluate the fnancial impact of this new immunization policy, we must frst know the cost on the health system of having a hospitalized or outpatient child infected with BP. The objective of this study was to describe the profle of costs of hospitalized or outpatient children with laboratory-confrmed BP infection in three hospitals of Argentina. This was a prospective study of the cost of BP in the period between December 2010 and March 2012. Results. The total cost for the entire cohort was 1 170 663.32 ARS (236 497.64 USD); direct medical costs were 1 124 052.31 ARS (227 081.27 USD); indirect costs and out-of-pocket expenses were 46 611 ARS (9416.6 USD). From this data, it is possible to conclude that the total average cost per patient was 10 546.52 ARS (95% CI: 9009-13 840) (2130.60 USD, 95% CI: 1820-2795), the direct medical cost per patient was 10 126.6 ARS (95% CI: 8607-13 171) (2045.77 USD, 95% CI: 1738-2660), and the indirect plus out-of-pocket costs (transportation and extras) were 419.92 ARS (95% CI: 344.7-565.3) (84 USD, 95% CI: 69-115). Conclusion. The cost of a hospitalized child with confrmed BP is 10 546.52 ARS (95% CI: 9009-13 840) (2130.60 USD, 95% CI: 1820-2795). Direct non-medical costs and overhead costs account for 4% of the total cost, amounting to 419.91 ARS per family (84 USD, 95% CI: 69-115), approximately an 8% of an average salary.

La Comisión Nacional de Inmunizaciones y el ProNaCEI (Programa Nacional de Control de Enfermedades Inmunoprevenibles) actualizaron la política de vacunación por Bordetella pertussis (BP) a partir del año 2009 con el objetivo de optimizar el control de esta enfermedad, de acuerdo con las recomendaciones internacionales. Para evaluar el impacto económico de esta nueva política de vacunación resulta necesario conocer inicialmente el costo que implica para el sistema de salud un niño internado o ambulatorio con infección por BP. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir el perfl de costos en niños internados o tratados ambulatoriamente, con infección confrmada por laboratorio de BP en tres hospitales de la Argentina. Estudio prospectivo de costo de la enfermedad durante el período diciembre de 2010 a marzo de 2012. Resultados. El costo total para toda la cohorte fue de 1 170 663,32 pesos (236 497,64 dólares); los costos médicos directos, de 1 124 052,31 pesos (227 081,27 dólares); los costos indirectos y gastos de bolsillo, de 46611 pesos (9 416,36 dólares), lo que permite inferir un costo total promedio por paciente de 10 546,52 pesos (IC 95% 9009 a 13 840) (2130,60 dólares, IC 95% 1820 a 2795), costos médicos directos por paciente de 10 126,6 pesos (IC 95% 8607 a 13 171) (2045,77 dólares, IC 95%1738 a 2660) y costos indirectos más de bolsillo (viajes y extras) de 419,92 pesos (IC 95% 344,7 a 565,3), (84 dólares, IC 95% 69 a 115). Conclusión. El costo de un caso confrmado hospitalizado por BP es 10 546,52 pesos (IC 95% 9009 a 13 840) (2130,60 dólares, IC 95% 1820 a 2795). Los costos directos no médicos y costos indirectos constituyen el 4% del total, lo que corresponde a 419,91 pesos por familia (84 dólares, IC 95% 69 a 115), un 8% del salario promedio.