Register of chromosomal abnormalities in Queensland

The development and use of the computer-aided retrieval of karyotypes (CAROK), a register of chromosomal abnormalities in Queensland, is described. The six independent cytogenetic laboratories serving the population of 2.2 million contribute data to the register which provides total population information on the occurrence of chromosomal abnormalities, without selection. CAROK policy on confidentiality, security, access, and safety of data is described in detail. A cytogenetic register such as this ensures a reliable permanent file of results, facilitates research, and provides a data base which will enable questions of clustering or secular trends to be answered efficiently. The register is complete for the years 1976-1981, and contains information on 880 consecutive abnormal cases; in this sense, the data constitute an unselected six-year series of diagnosed chromosomal abnormalities in Queensland. These figures show an average incidence figure (over a six-year period) for newly diagnosed cases of chromosomal abnormality of 6.61/100 000 general population per year.