[Descriptive epidemiology of major structural congenital anomalies in Argentina]

The objective of the study is to present the frequency of congenital anomalies (CA) reported to the National Network of Congenital Anomalies of Argentina (RENAC) in the year 2016, as part of its monitoring activities. RENAC is an official, national and hospital-based surveillance system of CA. The case definition includes newborns with major structural CA, external or internal, identified from birth until hospital discharge and detected by physical examination, complementary studies, interventions or autopsy. All live newborns and stillbirths of 500 grams or more were included. The prevalence of CA at birth was calculated as the quotient between the number of live newborns and stillbirths with CA, and the total number of live newborns and stillbirths, for a given period. According to their presentation, the cases with specific CA were classified into isolated, multiple and syndromes. The prevalence at birth of major structural CA was 1.59% (95% confidence intervals 1.55-1.64). The most frequent specific anomalies were: cleft lip and palate, gastroschisis, hydrocephalus, talipes equinovarus, spina bifida, postaxial polydactyly, anorectal malformation, diaphragmatic hernia, renal cysts and esophageal atresia. The most frequent syndrome was Down's. The expected annual cases and the prevalence of selected specific CA were estimated. RENAC data are within values reported in the literature.