Birth Defects Data from Surveillance Hospitals in Hubei Province, China, 200l – 2008

Background: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of birth defects in perinatal infants in Hubei Province during 200l-2008. Methods: The prevalence of birth defects in perinatal infants delivered after 28 weeks or more was analyzed in Hubei surveillance hospitals during 200l-2008. Results: The incidence of birth defects in perinatal infants from 200l to 2008 was 120.0 per 10,000 births, and was increased by about 41% from 81. 1 in 2001 to 138.5 per 10,000 births in 2008. The incidence in the first 4 years (20052008) was much higher than the latter four (2001-2004) (χ 2 =77.64 , P 0.05), but that between male and female was significant (χ 2 =5.24 , P 0.05). The two leading birth defects were cleft lip and/or palate and polydactyly, followed by congenital heart disease, hydrocephaly, external ear malformation and neural tube defects. The prevalence of congenital heart disease was rising. Conclusions: Eight years’ birth defects data indicate that the birth defect rate was on the rise and the birth defects prevalence in Hubei province should be valued.