GENETIC AND CONGENITAL DISEASES IN A MEXICAN PEDIATRIC-HOSPITAL

A survey of patients with genetic and/or congenital diseases (GCD) in a tertiary care pediatric hospital of Guadalajara-Mexico was undertake n, in order to determine the hospitalization frequencies and duration. Of all admissions, 40% had genetic and/or congenital disorders. This total frequency is similar to those reported in some other surveys; ho wever, its distribution into etiological groups showed interesting dif ferences. The patients with GCD required significantly more lengthy ho spitalization, more surgeries and more laboratory studies. Likewise, t his kind of patient had a statistically higher mortality rate than oth er patients. Most of the patients came from the metropolitan area of G uadalajara.