ArticleBMJ open2023
Systematic estimates of the global, regional and national under-5 mortality burden attributable to birth defects in 2000-2019: a summary of findings from the 2020 WHO estimates.
Article in BMJ open, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 28 papers.
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Who cites it
28 citing papers in PubMed.
- Identification of major congenital malformations based on healthcare databases in France: A proof-of-concept study using the epi-meres nationwide mother-child register.British journal of clinical pharmacology · 2026Article
- Newborn screening for external congenital anomalies at three public hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan.BMJ paediatrics open · 2026Article
- The estimated burden of rare diseases in South Africa using Orphanet: an epidemiological analysis.Orphanet journal of rare diseases · 2026Article
- Patterns and risk factors of birth defects in Bangladesh: evidence from a neonatal intensive care unit.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2026Observational
- Congenital Genitourinary Anomaly Identification and Referral in Rural Nepal: A Qualitative Study on the Perspective of Female Community Health Volunteers.Health science reports · 2026Article
- Opportunities and Challenges for Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies in Sub-Saharan Africa.Birth defects research · 2026Article
- Article
- Congenital abnormalities in Pacific Island Countries and Territories: a scoping review.BMC public health · 2026Article
- Genetic disorders and congenital anomalies in Nigeria: a scoping review.Journal of community genetics · 2026Review
- Perioperative use of levosimendan in complex congenital heart disease management.European journal of pediatrics · 2026Article
- Mortality amongst European children with congenital anomalies: Associations with socio-economic status in the EUROLINKCAT cohort.PloS one · 2026Observational
- Newborn screening and referral for congenital anomalies by lay health workers in Pakistan: a mixed-methods study to evaluate the effectiveness of a co-created educational intervention.BMC medical education · 2025Article
- Management and Outcomes of Anorectal Malformations at University Teaching Hospital of Kigali, Rwanda from 2015 to 2023.Research square · 2025Article
- Barriers to Timely Referral of Children Born with Myelomeningocele in Zambia.Journal of clinical medicine · 2025Article
- Epidemiological surveillance in congenital anomalies and rare diseases in Brazil: present situation and future challenges.Journal of community genetics · 2025Review
- A Review of the Recent Epidemiology of Zika Virus Infection.The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene · 2025Review
- Bi-allelic variants in BRF2 are associated with perinatal death and craniofacial anomalies.Genome medicine · 2025Article
- Epidemiology of congenital anomalies in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries: a scoping review.BMJ open · 2025Article
- Emerging trends and cross-country health inequalities in congenital birth defects: insights from the GBD 2021 study.International journal for equity in health · 2025Article
- Birth defects reporting and surveillance in India: a narrative review.Journal of community genetics · 2025Review
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9 authors.
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Abstract
objectivesTo examine the potential for bias in the estimate of under-5 mortality due to birth defects recently produced by the WHO and the Maternal and Child Epidemiology Estimation research group.
designSystematic analysis.
methodsWe examined the estimated number of under-5 deaths due to birth defects, the birth defect specific under-5 mortality rate, and the per cent of under-5 mortality due to birth defects, by geographic region, national income and under-5 mortality rate for three age groups from 2000 to 2019.
resultsThe under-5 deaths per 1000 live births from birth defects fell from 3.4 (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 3.1-3.8) in 2000 to 2.9 (UI 2.6-3.3) in 2019. The per cent of all under-5 mortality attributable to birth defects increased from 4.6% (UI 4.1%-5.1%) in 2000 to 7.6% (UI 6.9%-8.6%) in 2019. There is significant variability in mortality due to birth defects by national income level. In 2019, the under-5 mortality rate due to birth defects was less in high-income countries than in low-income and middle-income countries, 1.3 (UI 1.2-1.3) and 3.0 (UI 2.8-3.4) per 1000 live births, respectively. These mortality rates correspond to 27.7% (UI 26.6%-28.8%) of all under-5 mortality in high-income countries being due to birth defects, and 7.4% (UI 6.7%-8.2%) in low-income and middle-income countries.
conclusionsWhile the under-5 mortality due to birth defects is declining, the per cent of under-5 mortality attributable to birth defects has increased, with significant variability across regions globally. The estimates in low-income and middle-income countries are likely underestimated due to the nature of the WHO estimates, which are based in part on verbal autopsy studies and should be taken as a minimum estimate. Given these limitations, comprehensive and systematic estimates of the mortality burden due to birth defects are needed to estimate the actual burden.
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