Mortality due to congenital malformations in Chile (1969-1997)
Bedregal, P.; Orfali, C.; Norero, E.; Vercellino, M.
Revista Medica de Chile 128(4): 392-398
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0034-9887 PMID: 10962856 Document Number: 513591
Congenital malformations are defined as those structural, metabolic or functional defects found at birth. To study the mortality due to congenital malformations in Chile between 1969 and 1997, their type, individual, temporal and geographic variations, a descriptive analysis of deaths registered by the National Statistics Institute and the Ministry of Health was carried out. Between 1969 and 1997 there was tendency towards a reduction in rates of mortality due to congenital malformations and an increment in their relative importance. During the period, the risk for chromosome (98%) and osteomuscular (67%) malformations increased. Men and children of less than one year had the higher risk. In 1995, 1167 deaths due to congenital malformations were registered, 90% in children of less than 5 years. Higher risks occurred in urban zones (with a rate of 8.25 per 100.000) in the third region (rate 11.59) and second region (rate 11.2). Most deaths occurred in hospitals (85%). Main causes of death were circulatory system, central nervous system and chromosome malformations. The differences in regional deaths due to congenital malformations suggests specific risks that deserve further study.