[Birth defects surveillance in eight provinces, China]

Two hundred sixty-four thousand total births, born in cities and countryside of 8 provinces/metropolis of China from October 1, 1986 to September 30, 1987 were monitored for birth defects. Five leading categories of birth defects in the South and in the North of China respectively and 30 categories of congenital defects with at-birth prevalence rate greater than or equal to 1 per ten thousand were defined. Some of the findings were compared with those from the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program, USA. Factors influencing the level of birth defects prevalence rates were discussed.