Congenital anomalies in Brazil, 2010 to 2022
Julia A Gomes1, Augusto C Cardoso-Dos-Santos2, João M Bremm1
1Department of Epidemiological Analysis and Surveillance of Noncommunicable Diseases Secretariat of Health and Environmental Surveillance Ministry of Health Brasília Brazil Department of Epidemiological Analysis and Surveillance of Noncommunicable Diseases, Secretariat of Health and Environmental Surveillance, Ministry of Health, Brasília, Brazil.
Insights
Congenital anomalies affect approximately 1% of births in Brazil, with limb and heart defects being most common. These conditions significantly contribute to fetal and infant mortality, underscoring the need for improved prevention and care.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Congenital anomalies represent a significant public health concern in Brazil, contributing substantially to infant morbidity and mortality.
- Understanding the prevalence and outcomes of these anomalies is crucial for developing effective public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the prevalence and main outcomes associated with congenital anomalies in Brazil.
- To analyze trends in congenital anomaly occurrence and mortality from 2010 to 2022.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive study utilizing data from the Brazilian Information System on Live Births (Sinasc) and the Brazilian Mortality Information System (SIM).
- Analysis covered live births from 2010 to 2022, examining prevalence, associated risk factors, and mortality rates.
Main Results:
- Approximately 1% of births (83/10,000) had congenital anomalies, with limb defects (26/10,000), heart defects (11/10,000), and oral clefts (7/10,000) being most prevalent.
- Higher prevalence was observed in premature infants, those with low Apgar scores or low birth weight, and infants born to mothers aged ≥35 years, with a history of miscarriages, or in multiple pregnancies.
- Congenital anomalies accounted for 6% of fetal deaths and 22% of infant deaths, with neural tube defects being the leading cause of fetal death and heart defects of infant death.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights the substantial impact of congenital anomalies on infant mortality in Brazil.
- There is a critical need to enhance surveillance systems, implement preventive measures, and ensure adequate care for affected individuals.
- Continued monitoring and research are essential for reducing the burden of congenital anomalies in the Brazilian population.
Objectives:
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.
Methods:
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.
Results:
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%).
Conclusions:
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.
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