ArticleBirth defects research2024
Population-based prevalence of congenital defects in a routine sentinel site-based surveillance system in the Western Cape, South Africa.
Article in Birth defects research, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Opportunities and Challenges for Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies in Sub-Saharan Africa.Birth defects research · 2026Article
- Developing and validating a neonatal screening tool for congenital anomalies to be used in low- and middle-income country settings.BMJ global health · 2026Article
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Authors and funding
13 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundLack of data on the burden and scope of congenital disorders (CDs) in South Africa undermines resource allocation and limits the ability to detect signals from potentially teratogenic pregnancy exposures.
methodsWe used routine electronic data in the Western Cape Pregnancy Exposure Registry (PER) to determine the overall and individual prevalence of CD identified on neonatal surface examination at birth in the Western Cape, South Africa, 2016-2022. CD was confirmed by record review. The contribution of late (≤24 months) and antenatal diagnoses was assessed. We compared demographic and obstetric characteristics between women with/without pregnancies affected by CD.
resultsWomen with a viable pregnancy (>22 weeks gestation; birth weight ≥ 500 g) (n = 32,494) were included. Of 1106 potential CD identified, 56.1% were confirmed on folder review. When internal and minor CD were excluded the prevalence of major CD identified on surface examination at birth was 7.2/1000 births. When missed/late diagnoses on examination (16.8%) and ultrasound (6.8%) were included, the prevalence was 9.2/1000 births: 8.9/1000 livebirths and 21.5/1000 stillbirths. The PER did not detect 21.5% of major CD visible at birth. Older maternal age and diabetes mellitus were associated with an increased prevalence of CD. Women living with/without HIV (or the timing of antiretroviral therapy, before/after conception), hypertension or obesity did not significantly affect prevalence of CD.
conclusionsA surveillance system based on routine data successfully determined the prevalence of major CD identified on surface examination at birth at rates slightly higher than in equivalent studies. Overall rates, modeled at ~2%, are likely underestimated. Strengthening routine neonatal examination and clinical record-keeping could improve CD ascertainment.
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