title: A review of statistical methods for continuous monitoring of malformation frequencies.
abstract: Six statistical methods for monitoring of populations are reviewed with special reference to surveillance of congenital malformations. Their characteristics are compared; their relative efficiencies are assessed through both analytical and numerical comparisons. The cumulative sum technique appears to be convenient from most points of view; particular cases in which other methods may be preferred are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D006801:Humans; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013223:Statistics as Topic