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World Journal of Surgery

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01-09-2015 | Original Scientific Report

Quantifying the Disability from Congenital Anomalies Averted Through Pediatric Surgery: A Cross-Sectional Comparison of a Pediatric Surgical Unit in Kenya and Canada

Authors: D. Poenaru, J. Pemberton, C. Frankfurter, B. H. Cameron

Published in: World Journal of Surgery | Issue 9/2015

Abstract

Background

Pediatric surgical practice is different in low- and middle-income countries as compared to North America. While resources are limited, the impact of pediatric surgical procedures is significant. The objective of this study was to calculate and compare disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) averted in a Kenyan and Canadian surgical unit for a subset of pediatric congenital anomalies.

Methods

Medical records of children having undergone surgical procedures for 13 congenital conditions in both surgical units were collected over 12 months. DALYs for each condition were calculated using previously obtained disability weights derived in each country. Age-adjusted life expectancy rates from the WHO were used to determine years of life lost. Risk of permanent disability without surgery and probability of successful treatment values were obtained from the literature and included in the DALY calculation.

Results

The conditions accounting for the largest total number of averted DALYs in Kenya were hydrocephalus (60.8 %) and spina bifida (18.1 %), whereas in Canada they were hydrocephalus (24.2 %) and undescended testes (19.2 %). A total of 23,169 DALYs were averted through 1042 surgical procedures (22.2 DALYs per procedure) during the study period in Kenya, compared to 5497 DALYs through 373 procedures (14.7 DALYs per procedure) in Canada.

Conclusions

Using recent developments in burden of disease measurement, the results point to the significant impact of pediatric surgical centers in addressing the global burden of congenital surgical disease. The study carries significant implications for resource allocation and training.

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Title: Quantifying the Disability from Congenital Anomalies Averted Through Pediatric Surgery: A Cross-Sectional Comparison of a Pediatric Surgical Unit in Kenya and Canada
Authors: D. Poenaru
J. Pemberton
C. Frankfurter
B. H. Cameron
Publication date: 01-09-2015
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Published in: World Journal of Surgery / Issue 9/2015
Print ISSN: 0364-2313
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2323
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-015-3103-8

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Quantifying the Disability from Congenital Anomalies Averted Through Pediatric Surgery: A Cross-Sectional Comparison of a Pediatric Surgical Unit in Kenya and Canada

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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