[Eleven years of registration of congenital anomalies in Croatia associated with the EUROCAT international project].

Results of the eleven-year registration of congenital anomalies in Croatia are presented. Zagreb Registry as a part of international EUROCAT (European Registration of Congenital Anomalies) project covers four regional centers (Varazdin Rijeka, Pula and Koprivnica). The ascertainment, calculation of prevalence rates and statistical methods are based on EUROCAT method of investigation. Mean prevalence rate of 18.86/1000 births (1228 children with congenital anomalies per 65,100 births) was registered in the 1983-1993 period. The most frequently registered anomalies were congenital heart diseases, a heterogenous group of limb defects, oral clefts, central nervous system anomalies and chromosomal aberrations. The most frequent structural anomalies expressed as rates per 1000 births are ventricular septal defect (1.8), cleft lip +/- palate (1.1), atrial septal defect (0.8) polydactyly (0.8) and limb reduction defects (0.5). Statistical analysis shows a fluctuation of Down's syndrome prevalence rates during the monitored period. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.01) in prevalence rates among four regions of Croatia were established. The prevalence rates of marker anomalies (Down's syndrome, polydactyly, oral clefts) are tenfold higher compared to routine statistical data of Republic of Croatia. Acquired experience, collaboration and results obtained in this project represent a good basis for more rational planning of medical care and further investigation of this significant medical and public health problem.