Congenital anomalies in Iran: a cross-sectional study on 1574 cases in the North-West of country

BACKGROUND: At least one congenital anomaly is present in between 1% and 6% of all infants throughout the world. The aim of this study was to document some epidemiological features of congenital anomalies in the North-West of Iran. METHODS: The study cases (n = 1574) comprised all births registered/notified to three university-hospitals of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran, from 2000 to 2004. RESULTS: Total prevalence of congenital anomalies was 165.5 per 10 000 births [95% confidence interval (CI): 157-174]. Genito-urinary tract and kidney defects, anomalies of nervous system and limb anomalies accounted proportionally for more than 65% of anomalies in the region. The total prevalence of congenital anomalies in the study area increased from 104.6 per 10 000 births in 2000 (95% CI: 90-119) to 170.1 per 10 000 births in 2004 (95% CI: 152-189). CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that the data from this cross-sectional study of congenital anomalies in the North-West of Iran may be used as the baseline information to establish a population-based registry of birth defects in the area for health care and research purposes.