Birth defects surveillance study.
OBJECTIVE
To study the overall frequency of congenital malformations in a city hospital in the first three days of life.


METHODS
17,653 consecutive newborns were examined and diagnosed at a maternity hospital by pediatricians and geneticists. Relevant information was documented on a predesigned proforma and analyzed.


RESULTS
Of the 17,653 births 294 (1; 6%) had major malformations and 1400 (7.92%) had minor malformations. Amongst 17,653 births 328 (1.8%) were stillbirths. Malformations were highest in this group. Polygenic traits accounted for 45.1% while chromosomal etiology was found in 4%. A genetic basis was found in 65.4% of cases.


CONCLUSIONS
With emphasis on ''small family '' norms & population control it is necessary to identify malformations so that Interventional programmes can be planned.
Genetic Research Centre, National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Parel, Mumbai, India. zmpatel@hotmail.com
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ZM
Patel
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Adhia
D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011446:Prospective Studies