Perinatal screening and data processing with the SUMA(r) technology in Cuba
Abstract
SUMA(r) technology (Ultra Micro Analytical System) is applied to the pre-natal, neo-natal, epidemiological surveillance and blood certification screenings, thus solving the country's needs to own diagnostic means to undertake such programs. It is integrated by diagnostic kits, measurement and software equipment leading to procedures and the know-how. In Cuba, perinatal screening is essential for the functioning of the pre-natal and the post-natal programs within the Mother and Child Program. The Pre-natal program is performed to each pregnant woman: Alphafetoprotein to study alterations during pregnancy, Hepatitis B, and HIV to avoid the transmission of these diseases to the fetus or the newly-born. The Post-natal screening detects Congenital Hyperthyroidism, Phenylketonuria, Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, Galactosemia, and Biotinidase Insufficiency to each newly-born, thus avoiding mental retardation, or death. Computation Strips Reader Software support (registered by Cecmed) materializes the theoretical fundaments of SUMA(r) diagnostics; it consists of a tool destined to the analysis, calculus and interpretation of results for the diagnostic kits and the processing of data supplied by the measurement equipment. It is a methodology of our own, implemented in an algorithm, which includes the treatment for the SUMA(r) technology assays, offers work safety and reliability, thus obtaining a safe diagnostics. The system has allowed several countries, such as México, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Bolivia, Argentina, and Angola, among others, may have access to it. Some elements related to the processing of data with SUMA(r) technology in perinatal screening, and the computation support contributed by technology for such purposes will be discussed in this work.
