Are congenital malformations increasing? Comparative study of 2 periods: 1971-1977 and 1982-1991, in the maternity of the Clinical Hospital of the University of Chile
Nazer Herrera, J.; Cifuentes, L.; Ruiz, G.
Revista Medica de Chile 121(9): 1068-1074
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0034-9887 PMID: 8191160 Document Number: 406352
The aim of this work was to analyze the global incidence of congenital malformations at the Maternity of University of Chile Clinical Hospital in the periods between 1971 and 1977 and between 1982 and 1992. A significant and sustained increase in incidence was observed in the first period from 10.64 per 1000 born alive in 1971 to 33.79 in 1977. In the second period, the rates were stabilized at 60 to 70 per 1000 born alive. When comparing the incidence of 20 major or easily diagnosed malformations in the two periods, there was a significant increase in all during the second period. The possible causes of the increase in incidence are discussed, such as better diagnosis and registry, the use of ultrasound diagnosis and the incorporation of stillbirths to the registry during the second period.