Prevalence of Congenital Anomalies of the Upper Limbs in Brazil: a descriptive cross-sectional study
Samuel Ricardo Batista Moura1, Luis Renato Nakachima2, João Baptista Gomes Dos Santos3
1Hand Surgeon, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Escola Paulista de Medicina - Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM-UNIFESP), São Paulo (SP), Brazil.
Insights
Congenital anomalies of the upper limb (CAUL) are increasingly reported in Brazil. Advanced maternal age and lower birth weight are linked to higher CAUL prevalence, highlighting the need for preventive strategies.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Genetics
Background:
- Congenital Anomalies of the Upper Limb (CAUL) encompass structural and functional abnormalities impacting limb development in utero.
- These conditions can lead to significant limb dysfunction and long-term health challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of CAUL in Brazil from 2010 to 2019.
- To identify maternal and neonatal risk factors associated with CAUL.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive, cross-sectional study utilizing national birth data from SINASC and DATASUS.
- Analysis focused on data from field 41 of the Live Birth Declaration Form.
Main Results:
- Supernumerary fingers (ICD-Q69.0) were the most frequent anomaly, with a prevalence of 4.02 per 10,000 live births.
- Mothers over 40 had a 36% higher risk of CAUL (OR=1.36).
- Newborns weighing < 2,500g showed a 2.64 times higher likelihood of CAUL (OR=2.64).
Conclusions:
- An increasing trend in CAUL reporting was observed over the study decade.
- Findings underscore the importance of understanding CAUL prevalence and risk factors for effective preventive medicine.
- This data serves as a critical alert for public health agencies regarding CAUL surveillance.
Background:
Congenital Anomalies of the Upper Limb (CAUL) are a group of structural or functional abnormalities that develop during intrauterine life and can lead to limb dysfunction.
Objectives:
To analyze the prevalence of congenital anomalies of the upper limbs in Brazil and assess maternal and neonatal variables.
Design And Setting:
A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted on congenital upper limb malformations among live births across Brazil.
Methods:
The study spanned from 2010 to 2019. Data were sourced from the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System (DATASUS) and the Live Birth Information System (SINASC) portal. Analyses focused on the information reported in field 41 of the Live Birth Declaration Form entered into the computerized system.
Results:
The most common anomaly in Brazil was supernumerary fingers, classified as ICD-Q69.0, affecting 11,708 children, with a prevalence of 4.02 per 10,000 live births. Mothers aged over 40 years had a 36% higher prevalence of having children with CAUL than mothers under 40 years old (OR = 1.36; 95% CI 1.19-1.56). Newborns weighing ≥ 2,499 g were 2.64 times more likely to have CAUL compared to those weighing ≥ 2,500 g (OR = 2.64; 95% CI 2.55-2.73).
Conclusion:
There was an observed increase in the reporting of CAUL cases over the decade studied. This trend serves as an alert for health agencies, as understanding the prevalence of CAUL and its associated factors is crucial for preventive medicine.
Related Concept Videos
01:12Arteries of the Upper Limbs
01:09Bones of the Upper Limb: Radius
The radius has a nail-shaped head, and a...
01:07Teratogenicity
01:17Veins of Upper Limbs
The deep venous system is primarily composed of the ulnar and radial veins. The ulnar vein, which drains the fingers through the superficial palmar venous arches, and the radial vein, which serves the palms via the deep palmar...