A survey of congenital anomalies in Malta

Abstract

This study comprises a register of all cases of congenital anomalies recorded at the time of birth during the nine year period from 1983 to 1991. The occurrence of individual anomalies was analyzed in relation to the maternal age, gestational age, birth weight, twinning, still births, neonatal deaths and geographical distribution. Not only does the study provide accurate prevalence and incidence figures which are of importance to public health and the community as a whole, but it also provides a source of ascertainment of hereditary anomalies with their inherent recurrence risks which are of importance to individuals for genetic counselling. The validity of the register depends on the completeness of ascertainment and the use of a pathological international classification which demands diagnostic precision especially in cases of multiple congenital anomaly syndromes. The prevalence figures for individual anomalies are compared with those of other countries. The Maltese register forms part of the EUROCAT project (European Register of Congenital Anomalies and Twins), a concerted action project organised by the European Community for the international surveillance of congenital anomalies with the aim of detecting temporal and spacial clustering and the identification of responsible teratogens.