Korean J Obstet Gynecol.
2002 Jul;45(7):1146-1154.
Birth Defects Monitoring Systems Utilizing Public and Private Medical Resources in Incheon
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Social and Preventive Medicine Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Inha University.
- 2Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University.
- 3Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Inha University.
- 4Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Gachon University.
- 5Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To discover the etiology of birth defects and low birth weight, it is necessary to establish epidemiological birth defects monitoring system in Korea. Our aim was to develop new practical model in Incheon to establish birth defects monitoring system to evaluate the incidence rate and patterns of birth defects in Korea.
METHODS
Public health center and private hospitals and clinics participated in this monitoring system. Web based reporting system have been built. Trained nurses actively collected the records obtained from delivery units in the participating hospitals during 2 years (first year: December 1st, 1998-November. 31, 1999; second year: January 1 st, 2000-December 31 th, 2000).
RESULTS
Through this monitoring system at 1 st year and 2 nd year, we observed 25 birth defect cases from 2482 births, 28 birth defect cases from 3490 births including live births and stillbirths. The incidence of birth defect per thousand person was 10.1, 8.0 respectively. At 1st year, the highest proportion of birth defects was 28.0% in musculoskeletal system. The proportion of birth defects in gastrointestinal system, cardiovascular system and cleft lip & cleft palate were 20.0%, 12.0%. 12.0%. At 2 nd year, the highest proportion of birth defects was 21.4% in gastrointestinal system The proportion of birth defects in cardiovascular system and musculoskeletal system were 17.9% and 14.3%. CONCLUION: In conclusion, we could build population-based monitoring system for birth defects successfully in Yonsu gu, Incheon. To establish population-based monitoring system for birth defects in Korea, it is necessary to organize the reporters of public health center and private hospitals and clinics, to build an available reporting system, and to extend participating centers for birth defects monitoring systems.
