[Mortality from congenital malformations in children under 5 years old in China, 1996-2006].
OBJECTIVE
To identify the trend and pattern of mortality from congenital malformations in children under 5 years old in China.


METHODS
Data from 1996 to 2006 were obtained from the national child mortality surveillance network, which included 116 counties (cities) throughout China. A descriptive analysis was performed on birth defect-specific mortality (U5MR) in children under 5 years old.


RESULTS
The national birth defect-specific U5MR decreased from 412.0 per 100,000 live births in 1996 to 342.2 per 100,000 live births in 2006. The declining trend in birth defect-specific U5MR was more obvious from 2003 to 2006. The same pattern was observed in urban areas, in coastal regions and in inner land regions of China. Rural areas had higher birth defect-specific U5MR than urban areas. Remote regions had higher birth defect-specific U5MR than coastal regions and inner land regions. The proportion of mortality due to congenital malformations in total U5MR increased from 9.2% in 1996 to 14.4% in 2006.


CONCLUSIONS
The proportion of mortality due to congenital malformations in children under 5 years old is increasing in China.
He
Chun-hua
CH
National Office for Maternal and Child Health Surveillance, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Wang
Yan-ping
YP
Zhu
Jun
J
Liang
Juan
J
Dai
Li
L
Miao
Lei
L
Li
Xiao-hong
XH
Zhou
Guang-xuan
GX
Li
Qi
Q
D000367:Age Factors; D002423:Cause of Death; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality; D008297:Male; D012423:Rural Health