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Congenital anomalies of the central nervous system incidence in British Columbia, 1952-72
Insights
Congenital central nervous system (CNS) malformations occurred at a stable rate of three per 1,000 births in British Columbia from 1952-1972. Neural tube defects were more common in females, especially stillbirths.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric epidemiology
- Neurology
- Public health surveillance
Background:
- Congenital malformations of the central nervous system (CNS) represent a significant public health concern.
- Accurate incidence data are crucial for understanding trends and planning interventions.
- Previous studies may have underestimated rates due to ascertainment limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence rates of CNS congenital malformations in British Columbia between 1952 and 1972.
- To identify specific types of CNS anomalies and their prevalence.
- To investigate potential sex-based differences in incidence.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from an ongoing health surveillance registry with multiple ascertainment sources.
- Analyzed birth records from British Columbia spanning a 21-year period (1952-1972).
- Calculated incidence rates per 1,000 births for overall CNS malformations and specific defects.
Main Results:
- No overall increase in the incidence of CNS malformations was observed during the study period.
- The total ascertained frequency was three per 1,000 births.
- Specific incidence rates per 1,000 births were: anencephaly (0.6), spina bifida (0.8), hydrocephaly (1.0), and other CNS anomalies (0.5).
- Neural tube closure defects showed a higher incidence in females compared to males, particularly in stillbirths.
Conclusions:
- The incidence of congenital CNS malformations remained stable in British Columbia during 1952-1972.
- Multiple sources of ascertainment and extended follow-up are essential for comprehensive reporting of congenital defects.
- Findings highlight the need for robust surveillance systems to accurately capture the epidemiology of these conditions.
Abstract:
The records of an ongoing health surveillance registry that utilizes multiple sources of ascertainment were used to study the incidence rates of congenital malformations of the central nervous system in children born in British Columbia during the period 1952-72. No overall increase in incidence rate of these anomalies was detected over the study period and the total frequency ascertained was three per thousand births. For anencephaly, spina bifida, hydrocephaly, and other CNS anomalies, the estimated incidence rates per 1,000 births are 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 and 0.5 respectively. A greater incidence rate or neural tube closure defects was found in females than in males and this difference was most marked amongst the stillbirths. The data indicate that multiple sources of ascertainment and follow-up of children beyond one year after birth are necessary for adequate reporting even for these sorts of defects which have generally been though to be readily recognized at or shortly after birth.