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Birth defects data from hospital-based birth defect surveillance in Guilin, China, 2018-2020
Xingdi Yang1,2,3, Jianjuan Zeng4, Yiping Gu1,2,3
1Public Health, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China.
Insights
A study in Guilin, China, found a birth defect prevalence of 13.55 per 1,000 births. Most cases lacked a known cause, highlighting the need for enhanced prevention strategies for birth defects.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Birth defects (BDs) are a significant global cause of infant mortality, morbidity, and lifelong disability.
- Understanding regional prevalence and characteristics of BDs is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and classification of birth defects in Guilin, Southwestern China.
- To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and etiological profile of BDs in the region.
Main Methods:
- A hospital-based study was conducted in Guilin between 2018 and 2020.
- Data included all pregnancy outcomes (live births, stillbirths, early neonatal deaths, terminations) from 42 registered hospitals.
- Epidemiological and etiological factors of BDs were evaluated.
Main Results:
- A total prevalence of 13.55 per 1,000 births was observed among 147,817 total births.
- Congenital heart defects, polydactyly, syndactyly, ear malformations, and talipes equinovarus were the most common BDs.
- A known etiology was identified in only 8.84% of cases, with 91.16% remaining unknown.
Conclusions:
- The study provides essential epidemiological data on BDs in Guilin, contributing to the understanding of BDs in Southwestern China.
- Findings can inform future healthcare policies, funding, monitoring, and prevention strategies for BDs.
- Prioritizing strong prevention strategies is recommended to reduce BDs and improve birth quality.
Objectives:
Birth defects (BDs) are a major contributor to perinatal and infant mortality, morbidity and lifelong disability worldwide. A hospital-based study on birth defects was designed in Guilin city in the Guangxi province of Southwestern China aiming to determine the prevalence of BDs in the studied region, and the classify the BDs based on clinical presentation and causation.
Methods:
The study involved BDs among all pregnancy outcomes (live births, stillbirths, death within 7 days, and pregnancy terminations) born in the 42 registered hospitals of Guilin between 2018 and 2020. The epidemiological characteristics of BDs and the etiologic profile of BDs were evaluated in this study.
Results:
Of the total 147,817 births recorded during the study period, 2,003 infants with BDs were detected, giving a total prevalence rate of 13.55 per 1,000 births. The top five BD types were congenital heart defects, polydactyly, syndactyly, malformations of the external ear, and talipes equinovarus, whereas, neural tube defects, congential esophageal atresia, gastroschisis, extrophy of urinary bladder, were the least common BD types in these 3 years. Only 8.84% of cases were assigned a known etiology, while most cases (91.16%) could not be conclusively assigned a specific cause.
Conclusion:
This study provides an epidemiological description of BDs in Guilin, which may be helpful for understanding the overall situation in Southwest China of BDs and aid in more comprehensive studies of BDs in future healthcare systems, including funding investment, policy-making, monitor, prevention. Strong prevention strategies should be the priority to reduce BDs and improve the birth quality.
