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Aetiological monitor of congenital abnormalities: a case-control surveillance system
Insights
A Hungarian registry monitors congenital abnormalities to find causes. Early data suggests common pregnancy drugs like progestogens and oestrogens pose minimal teratogenic risk.
Area of Science:
- Medical Science
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Congenital abnormalities represent a significant public health concern.
- Understanding the etiological factors is crucial for prevention and intervention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish an Aetiological Monitor of Congenital Abnormalities in Hungary.
- To gather etiological information concurrently with the reporting of congenital abnormalities.
Main Methods:
- A national register was established to track congenital abnormalities.
- Questionnaires were sent to mothers of affected infants within one month of reporting.
- Data collected included maternal diseases, drug exposure, and occupational details during pregnancy.
Main Results:
- In the first year, 33.4% of pregnancies involved progestogen use and 10.8% involved oestrogen use.
- Analysis indicated that the studied drugs present either no teratogenic risk or a very small risk.
Conclusions:
- The Aetiological Monitor system is effective in collecting relevant data.
- Current data suggests limited teratogenic risk associated with commonly used progestogens and oestrogens during pregnancy.
Abstract:
An Aetiological Monitor of Congenital Abnormalities was launched in Hungary on 1 January 1980 with the purpose to obtain aetiological information parallel with the reporting of congenital abnormalities. A questionnaire is sent to all mothers having babies with well defined major congenital abnormalities within one month after being reported to the Register. Diseases during pregnancy, drugs taken during pregnancy as well as employment and type of work made by the pregnant are studied. According to the data of the first year, progestogens were taken in 33.4% and oestrogen in 10.8% of all pregnancies. Other data indicate that the drugs studied mean either no teratogenic risk or, if there is any risk, it is very small.