title: [Identification of risk factors for congenital malformations].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The relative importance of congenital malformations as a cause of death in the first year of life is increasing along with the control of preventable causes of perinatal mortality.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify risk factors for congenital malformations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case-control study of births registered in the database of The Latin American Collaborative Study of Congenital Malformations (ECLAMC), in the period 2001-2010.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Birth weight and gestational age were significantly lower in cases than controls, behaving as risk factors and associated with a greater severity of congenital malformations. The risk and severity of congenital malformations increased along with mother's age. Fetal growth retardation, a history of congenital malformations in the family, physical factors and acute illnesses of the mother in the first trimester of pregnancy were also significant risk factors for congenital malformations and their severity. The educational level of the mother was a protective factor for congenital malformations and their severity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Variables previously identified as risk factors for congenital malformations, were significantly related with the occurrence of congenital malformations and their severity.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Canals C
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cavada C
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nazer H
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002677:Chile; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000209:etiology*; D004522:Educational Status; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008423:Maternal Age; D010331:Paternal Age; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors