title: Birth defects data from surveillance hospitals in Dalian city, China, 2006-2010.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study is to disclose characteristics of birth defects in perinatal infants in Dalian and provide an epidemiological basis for controlling birth defects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data used in this study were collected from surveillance hospitals in Dalian during 2006-2010. Comparison analysis and trend analysis were conducted by performing Chi-square tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The perinatal prevalence of birth defects from 2006 to 2010 was 101.14 per 10 000 live births and was decreased by about 29% from 115.49 per 10 000 live births in 2006 to 81.16 per 10 000 live births in 2010. The prevalence in urban was higher than that in rural areas significantly. The three leading birth defects were congenital heart disease, cleft lip and/or palate, and polydactyly or syndactyly. About 572 cases identified by antenatal diagnosis were terminated pregnancy before 28 weeks of gestation, so the prevalence of birth defects would decrease from 126.29/10 000 to 101.14/10 000.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dalian has experienced a decreasing temporal trend of birth defects' prevalence; however, it is still confronted with the challenge to reduce the prevalence of birth defects. Congenital heart diseases are the focus to prevent birth defects. It is necessary to keep the surveillance system function properly, provide preconception health care service extensively, and improve the ability of prenatal diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: a School of Public Health, Dalian Medical University , Dalian , PR China and.
authors.forename: Qi-Gui
authors.initials: QG
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: b Maternal and Children Health Care Hospital of Dalian City , Dalian , PR China.
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: b Maternal and Children Health Care Hospital of Dalian City , Dalian , PR China.
authors.forename: Xu-Wu
authors.initials: XW
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: a School of Public Health, Dalian Medical University , Dalian , PR China and.
authors.forename: Gui-Rong
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Song
mesh_terms: D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D015995:Prevalence; D062486:Public Health Surveillance
keywords: Birth defects; prevalence; prevention; surveillance