MAINZ CONGENITAL BIRTH DEFECT MONITORING SYSTEM

Abstract

The two most important aims of tho Mainz Congenital Birth Defect Monitoring Syitem wore to find “incidence” rates and to took for etiological causes of congenital malformations. All babies born in Mainz underwent a standardized physical and sonographic examination. Anamnestic data of family history, enviromental factors, drug exposure etc. were collected. Using case controll studies we looked for special correlations between morphologic defects and anamnestic data as factors of risk. The relative risk was calculated as odds ratio. Results: In 1990 and 1991 we examinated 8430 newborns. 656 (7,8%) children had major and 2609 (31,1%) minor malformations. Systemic localisation of major defects: Skeletal 2,6%, urogenital, 1.8%, cardiovascular 1,3%, nervouo 0,6%, digostive 0,5%, chromanomal anomalies 0,3% and others 0,6%. Localisat ion of minor defects: Simian crease 3,9%, Darwinian tubercle 3,8%, facial haemangioma 3,2%, auricular tag 3,0%, haemangioma 2,7%, auricular pits 2,3% and others 12,2%. Increased relative risks (odds ratios) were found for following factors: Sibling (2,4*)/parent (1,4) with major malformation, alcohol abuse (2,3), medication (1,8*) during pregnancy, consanguinity (1,8), diabetes mellitus (mother; 1,7), placental insufficiency (1,4) etc. (“:statistically significant).Conclusions: The Mainz Congenital Birth Defect Monitoring System is able to find regional “incidence” rates and represent a further step in the search for new etiological factors. More patients and a longer study period is necessary for in depth evalution. Comparisons with other regional monitoring systems are required.