[Analysis of infant mortality from congenital malformations in Argentina during the 2002-2006 period]

To analyze the trend and spatial distribution of infant mortality from congenital malformations in Argentina between 2002 and 2006.

Data were provided by the Ministry of Public Health. Congenital malformations were classified according to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision. Early neonatal, late neonatal and postneonatal infant mortality components, congenital malformations subgroups and specific malformations were estimated by departments, provinces, and regions to determine: a) Congenital malformations- related death rate; b) infant mortality rate due to congenital malformations. Both indicators were correlated with the respective departmental latitude/longitude.

Infant mortality rate due to congenital malformations was 3.33 per thousand and congenital malformations- related death rate 22.7%. Both indicators showed great spatial variability and did not correlate to latitude/longitude. The lowest infant mortality rate due to congenital malformations and congenital malformations-related death rates were found in Patagonia and the Argentine northeast, respectively. The early neonatal period showed the highest infant mortality rate due to congenital malformations and congenital malformations-related death rates was over 20% in the 3 periods. The Argentine northwest and Argentine northeast showed the lower congenital malformations rates-related death rates in the three components than Centro, Cuyo and Patagonia.

The pattern of infant mortality from congenital malformations in Argentina is similar to that of developed countries, characterized by a decrease of infant mortality rate due to congenital malformations and increase of congenital malformations-related death rates, with a prevailing contribution of heart and nervous system malformations.