A review of 218 patients with congenital vertebral anomalies demonstra
tes that 61% of patients had associated abnormalities affecting seven
system. The type of vertebral anomaly did not predict the location or
type of associated abnormality. The site of vertebral anomaly did corr
elate with the occurrence of some associated diagnoses. The most commo
n abnormalities associated with vertebral malformation were cranial ne
rve palsy, radial hypoplasia, club feet, dislocated hip, Sprengel's de
formity, imperforate anus, hemifacial microsomia, and renal and cardia
c anomalies. Comprehensive evaluation of patients with vertebral anoma
lies will be enhanced by knowledge of the type and frequency of associ
ated anomalies.