[Congenital malformations of the digestive system. Maternity Clinical Hospital at the University of Chile. 1991-2001].

BACKGROUND

There were 26,617 births attended at the University of Chile Clinical Hospital, of which 0.63% were stillborn. A frequency of malformations of 7.2 per born alive and of 22.1 per stillborn was detected in this population.

AIM

To report the frequency of digestive system congenital malformations in this population.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Analysis of data from the births that occurred at the University of Chile Hospital, that was gathered using codified form for the Latin American Collaborative Study for Congenital Malformations.

RESULTS

Ninety seven digestive congenital malformations were detected, with a rate of 26.4 per 10,000 born alive and 12.2 per 10,000 stillborn. Diaphragmatic hernia was the most frequent malformation found, followed by imperforated anus, onphalocele and esophageal atresia. There was a secular increase in the frequency of these malformations.

CONCLUSIONS

The frequency of digestive system malformations is higher than in the rest of hospitals participating in the Latin American Collaborative Study for Congenital Malformations.