Changes in the Prevalence of Congenital Developmental Abnormalities in Lithuania Between 2002 and 2011

Abstract

Aim. The aim of the study was to analyze changes in the prevalence of congenital developmental abnormalities (CDA) in Lithuania during 2002-2011. Methods. This was a survey that included data from the Lithuanian Neonatal Registry for the period of 2002-2011. The results were calculated by applying the ANOVA test, Bonferroni’s criterion, and the Z test. The results were considered to be statistically significant when p < 0.05. Results. The prevalence of CDA among liveborn neonates born during the period 2002-2011 ranged from 3.5% to 4.9% (p = 0.09). Of neonates born during the 22nd-27th weeks of gestation, 14.6% had CDA, of those born during the 28th-31st weeks of gestation – 13.8%, of those born during weeks 32-36 – 7.9%, and among those born ≥ 37th week of gestation – 3.8%. The diagnosis of CDA was significantly more frequent among neonates born during the 22nd-31st weeks of gestation than among those born during weeks 32-36 (p < 0.05). During the period 2002-2011, the predominant CDA were those of the musculoskeletal and the cardiovascular systems. In 2002, CDA of the musculoskeletal system comprised 40.9%, and those of the cardiovascular system – 21.6% of all CDA. In 2002, a statistically significant higher number of neonates were born with CDA of the musculoskeletal system than those with CDA of the cardiovascular system. In 2011, the prevalence of CDA of these two types was not statistically significantly different: CDA of the musculoskeletal system comprised 25%, and CDA of the cardiovascular system – 29.7% of all congenital anomalies. In 2002, the highest number of neonatal deaths was caused by CDA of the cardiovascular system (39%), other CDA and syndromes (25.4%), and CDA of the musculoskeletal system (13.6%). In 2011, the structure of mortality from CDA was not statistically significantly different: other CDA and syndromes as causes of death were diagnosed in 46.2% cases of all congenital anomalies, CDA of the musculoskeletal system