title: The National Congenital Anomalies Register in the United Arab Emirates.
abstract: The National Congenital Anomalies Register is a population-based register covering all births in the United Arab Emirates. We evaluated the progress of the register and determined the prevalence of congenital anomalies (CAs) and associated maternal and neonatal risk factors. Total prevalence of CAs for 1999-2001 was 7.89/1000, 10.95/1000 and 7.92/1000 for live births, stillbirths and total births respectively. Rates were comparable to international rates for all districts except Dubai, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah. According to the International classification of diseases, the cardiovascular system was the most affected followed by CAs of chromosomal origin and the musculo-skeletal system. Birth defects were more common with older maternal age, grand multiparity, male babies, low-birth-weight babies and premature babies.
authors.affiliation: Central Department of Maternal and Child Health, Ministry of Health, Abu-Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. hagar@emirates.net.ae
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Al Hosani
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salah
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Abu-Zeid
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Farag
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Saade
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D001723:Birth Rate; D001724:Birth Weight; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003241:Consanguinity; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D008297:Male; D008423:Maternal Age; D010298:Parity; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011322:Primary Prevention; D012042:Registries; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D050497:Stillbirth / Q000453:epidemiology; D014479:United Arab Emirates / Q000453:epidemiology