Source
Department of Human Genetics and Teratology, National Institute of Hygiene, Budapest, Hungary.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To estimate the proportion of preventable congenital abnormalities in Hungary.
DESIGN:
Analysis of available Hungarian data-bases and of the effectiveness of primary, secondary, and tertiary preventive methods.
SETTING:
Databases of ad hoc epidemiological studies and of the Hungarian congenital abnormality registry.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
Prevalence at birth and prevalence after prevention in 73 congenital abnormality types or groups.
RESULTS:
Preventive methods are available for 51 (70%) of the 73 congenital abnormality types or groups evaluated. The birth prevalence of all congenital abnormalities could be reduced from 65 to 26 per 1000; thus 39 per 1000 (60%) are preventable. Without congenital dislocation of the hip, which is unusually common in Hungary, the preventable proportion of congenital abnormalities is 52%.
CONCLUSION:
Many congenital abnormalities can be prevented, but as they do not represent a single pathological category there is no single strategy for their prevention.