[Epidemiology of birth defects among children in 8 provinces in China].

In 1988, birth defects (BD) among 85,170 children aged 0-14 were investigated in eight provinces and cities of China. The overall prevalence rate was 15.13% in urban, 15.40% in rural areas. The prevalence rate of BD was significantly higher in males than in females (16.66% vs 13.70%). The prevalence rate of BD was significantly higher in mothers aged > or = 35 years than in mothers aged < 35. 20 of 82 categories of BD accounted for > or = 1% of all BD. The 3 leading BD were: cutis angioma, congenital heart disease and indirect hernia. The incidence of mental retardation was significantly higher in children with BD than in children without BD.