What proportion of congenital abnormalities can be prevented?

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the proportion of preventable congenital abnormalities in Hungary.

DESIGN

Analysis of available Hungarian data-bases and of the effectiveness of primary, secondary, and tertiary preventive methods.

SETTING

Databases of ad hoc epidemiological studies and of the Hungarian congenital abnormality registry.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Prevalence at birth and prevalence after prevention in 73 congenital abnormality types or groups.

RESULTS

Preventive methods are available for 51 (70%) of the 73 congenital abnormality types or groups evaluated. The birth prevalence of all congenital abnormalities could be reduced from 65 to 26 per 1000; thus 39 per 1000 (60%) are preventable. Without congenital dislocation of the hip, which is unusually common in Hungary, the preventable proportion of congenital abnormalities is 52%.

CONCLUSION

Many congenital abnormalities can be prevented, but as they do not represent a single pathological category there is no single strategy for their prevention.