Using a national register for the epidemiological study of congenital heart defects
Borman, B.; Chapman, C.; Howard, K.; Buckfield, P.; Findlay, J.
New Zealand Medical Journal 100(827): 404-406
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-8446 PMID: 3452065 Document Number: 300931
Data validity is a fundamental problem in epidemiology. An objective of birth defect registers is the collection of high quality data often from a number of sources, for use in epidemiological research. This paper examines the use of data from a national register in New Zealand in the study of congenital heart defects. The pravelance rates of congenital heart defects are shown to depend on the definition of the terms employed, the methods and completeness of the case ascertainment, the correctness of the diagnoses, the nature and the size of the population under study, and the duration of followup. Recommendations are made for increasing the utility of this register in the study of this major group of malformations.