Congenital Malformations a Report of a Study of Series of Consecutive Births in 24 Centres

Abstract

A report is presented of a study of births in 24 centres in 16 countries with respect to the occurrence and type of congenital malformations found in stillborn and liveborn infants. In all, the outcomes of 421 781 pregnancies are investigated (416 695 single births, 5022 sets of twins, 63 sets of triplets, and one set of quadruplets). The frequencies of malformations of specific types or of groups of malformations are considered with particular reference to geographical variations and associations with consanguinity of parents. The evidence relating to clinical and etiological heterogeneity is considered, as well as that on the genetical contribution to congenital malformations and perinatal mortality. The data are presented in considerable detail in tables and in addition there is available on request to the authors a 400-page companion booklet of basic tables for each centre.