Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2001 Sep;44(9):1609-1616.

Multi-center Study for Birth Defects Monitoring Systems in Korea

• Koh KS
• Kim A
• Yang SH
• Han JY
• Kim ES
• Kim MY
• Yang JH
• Park KH
• Kim SS
• Yoon BH

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to establish a multi-center birth defects monitoring system for evaluating the prevalence and serial occurrence of birth defects in Korea.
METHODS
Seven centers participated in this monitoring system. Trained nurses actively collected the 42,015 delivery records obtained from delivery units and pediatric clinics in the participating hospitals every month.
RESULTS
We observed 722 birth defects among 42,015 births including live births and stillbirths. The prevalence of birth defect was 1.7%. About one thirds of birth defects were terminated. The most frequent congenital anomalies were cleft lip and Down syndrome. The highest proportion of birth defects was 20.1% in urogenital system. The proportion of birth defects in cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal system were 17.1% and 14.1% respectively. Chromosomal anomalies and genetic syndromes represent 13.4% and 3.3% among birth defects respectively. Among chromosomal anomalies Down syndrome was at the first rank.
CONCLUSION
We could establish multi-center active monitoring system for birth defects successfully. To check serial occurrence of birth defects, it is necessary to increase participating hospitals and to launch the nationwide multi-center study.

Keyword

Birth defects monitoring systems; congenital anomalies; Down syndrome; cleft lip

MeSH Terms

Cardiovascular System
Cleft Lip
Congenital Abnormalities*
Down Syndrome
Korea*
Live Birth
Parturition*
Prevalence
Stillbirth
Urogenital System