Congenital anomalies in Brazil, 2010 to 2022

Congenital anomalies are an important cause of infant morbidity and mortality in Brazil. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of and main outcomes related to these anomalies in Brazil.

This descriptive study was carried out using data from the Brazilian Information System on Live Births (known as Sinasc) and the Brazilian Mortality Information System (known as SIM) for births occurring from 2010 to 2022.

During this period, 37 126 352 live births were registered in Sinasc, and 309 140 live births were reported with congenital anomalies, accounting for approximately 1% of all births, and representing about 24 000 per year (prevalence: 83/10 000 live births). Limb defects were the most prevalent anomaly, occurring in 26/10 000 live births, followed by heart defects (11/10 000) and oral clefts (7/10 000). A higher prevalence of congenital anomalies was found among infants born prematurely (202/10 000), with Apgar scores ≤7 at 1 minute after birth (216/10 000) and at 5 minutes (540/10 000), and among those with low birth weight - that is, < 2 500 g - (250/10 000). A higher prevalence of congenital anomalies was observed among low birthweight infants born to mothers aged ≥35 years (115/10 000), or with a history of ≥2 miscarriages (109/10 000) or in multiple pregnancies (>120/10 000). During this period, 23 798 fetal deaths (6% of all fetal deaths) and 103 642 infant deaths (22% of all infant deaths) due to congenital anomalies were registered. The fetal mortality rate due to congenital anomalies was <1/1 000, while the infant mortality rate was 3/1 000. Neural tube defects were the main cause of fetal death from a congenital anomaly (3 975/23 798, 17%), and heart defects were the main cause of infant death (40 955/103 642, 40%).

These findings highlight the importance of improving surveillance for congenital anomalies in Brazil, as well as reinforcing the need for preventing these anomalies and ensuring that assistance is provided to those who are affected.