Surveillance of malformations in Sydney in 1976.

The results of a pilot study of malformations in newborn infants in two regions of Sydney in 1976 showed that the incidence of major malformations was 11.31 per 1000 live births and stillbirths, and the incidence of minor malformations was 7.33 per 1000. There were 131 stillbirths among the 12816 births in the study. There were geographical and seasonal variation and "time place clustering" of cases. There was a higher incidence of congenital heart disease and chromosomal abnormalities than in the study carried out in 1966 by Stevenson. The need for accurate diagnosis and for the provision of support and genetic counseling for the parents soon after the birth of a baby with an abnormality is stressed; these should be an integral part of total patient care.