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[Congenital disorders in the first year of life]
J D Reerink1, W P Herngreen, P H Verkerk
1Nederlands Instituut voor Praeventieve Gezondheidszorg-TNO, afd. Jeugd en Gezondheid, Leiden.
Insights
Congenital malformations were diagnosed in 29% of infants. Systematic reporting improved prevalence data, with a quarter of defects undetected by three months.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Medical Genetics
- Public Health
Background:
- Congenital malformations represent a significant public health concern.
- Accurate prevalence data is crucial for resource allocation and intervention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of congenital malformations in a population-based birth cohort.
- To compare data collection methods for congenital malformation surveillance.
Main Methods:
- A population-based birth cohort of 2151 children was studied.
- Congenital malformation data was collected by nurses and physicians during six infant consultations.
- Data was analyzed using EUROCAT criteria for comparison.
Main Results:
- A congenital malformation was diagnosed in 29% of infants.
- 40 major malformations were identified in 37 children (1.8%).
- Systematic reporting yielded higher prevalence rates (SMOCK 4.0% vs. EUROCAT 2.3%), largely due to congenital hip dislocation reporting.
Conclusions:
- Systematic and structured reporting enhances the completeness of congenital malformation prevalence data compared to voluntary notification.
- A significant proportion (25%) of congenital malformations remain undetected beyond three months of age.
Objective:
Assessment of the prevalence of congenital malformations in a population-based birth cohort of 2151 children.
Method:
Information about congenital malformations was obtained of 2092 infants by the Child Health Clinic nurses and by the CHC physician during six consultations in the first year of life.
Results:
In 29% of the infants a congenital malformation was diagnosed. In 37 children (1.8%) 40 major malformations were found. More than three quarters of the malformations were diagnosed in the first three months of life. Using the EUROCAT criteria, a difference existed between the incidence of congenital malformations in liveborn infants in SMOCK (4.0%) and in EUROCAT (2.3%). This difference is mainly caused by the difference in the number of reports on congenital hip dislocation. The prevalence of major defects was similar in both SMOCK (central nervous system: 14/10,000; circulatory system: 67/10,000; ventricular septal defect 29/10,000; schisis: 14/10,000; Down syndrome: 14/10,000) and EUROCAT:
Conclusion:
By systematic and structured reporting it is possible to obtain more complete information on the prevalence of congenital malformations than by voluntary notification. One quarter of the congenital malformations is not detected before the age of 3 months.