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[Problem of the prevalence of congenital malformations]
Insights
Congenital malformations (CM) affected 2.83% of children aged 0-15, with higher rates in newborns and stillborns. Leading defects involved limbs, abdominal wall, GI tract, and cardiovascular system, highlighting critical areas for prevention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Medical Genetics
- Public Health
Background:
- Congenital malformations (CM) represent a significant global health concern.
- Understanding the incidence and types of CM is crucial for effective prevention strategies.
- Previous studies have provided varying data on CM prevalence across different populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence and structure of congenital malformations in children aged 0-15 years.
- To analyze trends in CM prevalence over a defined period.
- To identify leading types of birth defects and risk groups for targeted interventions.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of birth-histories for 42,275 newborns.
- Review of ambulatory outpatient files for 38,280 children (6 days to 15 years).
- Examination of 4,153 autopsy findings from 1979-1987.
Main Results:
- Overall CM incidence in children 0-15 years was 2.83%, rising to 3.27% in the last three years of the study.
- CM prevalence was 10.2% in stillborns and 13.8 per 1,000 newborns, increasing to 18.2 per 1,000 in the final three years.
- Leading defects in newborns included malformations of the musculoskeletal system, abdominal wall, gastrointestinal tract, and cardiovascular system. Among deceased children, central nervous system defects were most prevalent.
Conclusions:
- Congenital malformations pose a substantial risk, particularly in the first year of life.
- Identifying high-risk groups and specific defect types is essential for developing targeted prevention programs.
- The rising incidence suggests a need for ongoing surveillance and updated preventive measures for birth defects.
Abstract:
Birth-histories and files of 42,275 newborn infants, ambulatory outpatient files of 38,280 children aged between 6 days and 15 years, and also findings of 4,153 autopsies were studied. The study was conducted for the years 1979-87. It was found that on the whole the incidence of congenital malformations (CM) in children 0-15 years old was 2.83 percent, last three years this indicator being 3.27 percent. Among stillborns the proportion of CM was 10.2 percent, among newborns--13.8 per 1,000 and for the last three years it rose up to 18.2. The leading congenital defects in newborn infants, according to prevalence, were malformations of organs of movement, abdominal wall and gastrointestinal tract, malformations of cardiovascular system. The analysis of CM structure among dead children indicated that the most prevalent were malformations of the central nervous system and also two last above-mentioned groups. The majority of children with CM among the dead were children of the first year of life. Proceeding from these findings the principal ways of CM prevention were suggested and main risk groups with regard to birth defects were identified.