Disabling congenital defects in Chile

Citation
J. Nazer et al., Disabling congenital defects in Chile, REV MED CHI, 129(1), 2001, pp. 67-74
Citations number
9
Categorie Soggetti
General & Internal Medicine
Journal title
REVISTA MEDICA DE CHILE
ISSN journal
00349887 → ACNP
Volume
129
Issue
1
Year of publication
2001
Pages
67 - 74
Database
ISI
SICI code
0034-9887(200101)129:1<67:DCDIC>2.0.ZU;2-G
Abstract
Background: The ECLAMC (Estudio Colaborativo Latinamericano de Malformacion es Congenitas) is an epidemiological surveillance program for congenital de fects that operates in Chile since 1969. Aim: To communicate the frequency of disabling congenital defects in Chile in the period 1982-1997. Material and methods: A review of the ECLAMC registry, choosing 12 congenital defect s: amelia, limb amputations, limb reductions, arthrogryposis, hip luxation and subluxation, spina bifida, hydrocephaly, microcephaly, cephalocele, tal ipes equinovarus, Down syndrome and multiple abnormalities. Results: In the study period, 283,403 births occurred and 7,917 newborns were malformed (7 ,654 born alive and 263 stillbirths). The congenital defects prevalence rat es appeared higher in Chile than in other Latin American countries, special ly among stillbirths. Among the studied maternity hospitals, the Clinical H ospital of the University of Chile, showed the higher prevalence of congeni tal defects. Rancagua and the Navy Hospital in Valparaiso have a high frequ ency of Down syndrome. Global rates in Chile and in the rest of ECLAMC for specific defects, do not have significant differences, except for hip sublu xation, that has a lower incidence in Chile. Conclusions: The ECLAMC allows to have a good knowledge of the prevalence of congenital malformations in Latin America (Rev Med Chile 2001; 129: 67-74).