Abstract
Background:Surveillance programs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have difficulty in obtaining accurate information about congenital anomalies.Methods:As part of the ZikaPLAN project, an International Committee developed an app for the description and coding of congenital anomalies that are externally visible at birth, for use in low resource settings. The “basic” version of the app was designed for a basic clinical setting and to overcome language and terminology barriers by providing diagrams and photos, sourced mainly from international Birth Defects Atlases. The “surveillance” version additionally allows recording of limited pseudonymized data relevant to diagnosis, which can be uploaded to a secure server, and downloaded by the surveillance program data center.Results:The app contains 98 (88 major and 10 minor) externally visible anomalies and 12 syndromes (including congenital Zika syndrome), with definitions and International Classification of Disease v10 -based code. It also contains newborn examination videos and links to further resources. The user taps a region of the body, then selects among a range of images to choose the congenital anomaly that best resembles what they observe, with guidance regarding similar congenital anomalies. The “basic” version of the app has been reviewed by experts and made available on the Apple and Google Play stores. Since its launch in November 2019, it has been downloaded in 39 countries. The "surveillance” version is currently being field-tested.Conclusion:The global birth defects app is a mHealth tool that can help in developing congenital anomaly surveillance in low resource settings to support prevention and care.
Highlights
More than 5 million babies are estimated to be born with congenital anomalies (CAs), called birth defects, each year (James et al, 2018)
The user taps a region of the body, selects among a range of images to choose the congenital anomaly that best resembles what they observe, with guidance regarding similar congenital anomalies
The global birth defects app is a mobile health (mHealth) tool that can help in developing congenital anomaly surveillance in low resource settings to support prevention and care
Summary
More than 5 million babies are estimated to be born with congenital anomalies (CAs), called birth defects, each year (James et al, 2018). Children born with a significant CA who survive have complex medical, social, and educational needs, accounting globally for 48.8 million years of life lost with disability (Roth et al, 2018). The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 94% of all severe CA cases occur in low- and middleincome countries (LMICs) (WHO, 2020b). Surveillance programs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have difficulty in obtaining accurate information about congenital anomalies. Methods: As part of the ZikaPLAN project, an International Committee developed an app for the description and coding of congenital anomalies that are externally visible at birth, for use in low resource settings. The “surveillance” version allows recording of limited pseudonymized data relevant to diagnosis, which can be uploaded to a secure server, and downloaded by the surveillance program data center.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
