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Portable wide-field digital imaging for screening of neonatal visual impairment causes in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: a
Lorena M Haefeli1, Luiza M Neves1, Andrea Zin1
1Instituto Nacional de Saúde da Mulher, da Criança e do Adolescente Fernandes Figueira, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Insights
Implementing portable wide-field digital imaging for neonatal vision screening in Rio de Janeiro is cost-effective, representing less than 1% of the health budget. This strategy can help prevent childhood blindness and visual impairment.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Public Health
- Health Economics
Background:
- Childhood blindness and visual impairment are significant public health concerns.
- Early detection through neonatal screening is crucial for timely intervention.
- Traditional screening methods may have limitations in accessibility and accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the budget impact of incorporating portable wide-field digital imaging for neonatal vision screening.
- To assess the feasibility of this technology in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- To inform decision-making regarding the implementation of new screening strategies.
Main Methods:
- Budget impact analysis was conducted.
- Costs included indirect binocular ophthalmoscopy, red reflex test, and portable wide-field digital image screening.
- Analysis considered all babies born in Rio de Janeiro's government maternity wards between 2020 and 2024.
Main Results:
- The total budget impact for universal digital imaging screening from 2020-2024 is estimated at US$3,820,706.04.
- The additional cost for this screening strategy ranges from US$2,714,492.26 to US$4,880,608.63.
- The cost represents less than 1% of the municipal government health budget.
Conclusions:
- Universal digital imaging screening is a potentially feasible and cost-effective strategy for neonatal vision screening in Rio de Janeiro.
- The findings support government decision-makers in evaluating the implementation of this technology.
- Further health economic evaluations are recommended to confirm affordability within the broader Brazilian context, considering resource limitations.
Objective:
To estimate the budget impact of portable wide-field digital imaging incorporation on screening neonatal causes of childhood blindness and visual impairment in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Design:
Budget impact analysis.
Setting:
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Primary And Secondary Outcome Measures:
The primary outcome was the direct cost of indirect binocular ophthalmoscopy, red reflex test and portable wide-field digital image screening comprising all babies born in Rio de Janeiro's government maternity wards. The secondary outcome was the budget impact of implementing portable wide-field digital image screening in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Results:
Considering 100% coverage of maternity wards, the total budget impact between 2020 and 2024 would be US$3 820 706.04, ranging from US$3 139 844.34 to US$6 099 510.35. The additional cost would be US$3 124 457.28, ranging from US$2 714 492.26 to US$4 880 608.63.
Conclusion:
The cost of universal digital imaging screening corresponds to less than 1% of the government health budget of the city of Rio de Janeiro. The information provided in this study may help government decision-makers evaluate the feasibility of implementing this new strategy in the municipal setting. Further health economic evaluations should be performed to verify the affordability of the implementation of this screening strategy in the Brazilian scenario, taking into account scarce human resources.
