Download PDF
Eur J Pediatr Surg 2023; 33(05): 403-413
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1758829
Original Article

Prevalence and One-Year Survival of Selected Major Congenital Anomalies in Germany: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Salmai Turial 
1   Division of Pediatric Surgery, Pediatric Trauma Surgery and Pediatric Urology, University Medical Centre Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
,
Friederike Stimming
1   Division of Pediatric Surgery, Pediatric Trauma Surgery and Pediatric Urology, University Medical Centre Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
,
Anke Lux
2   Medical Faculty Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Institute for Biometrics and Medical Informatics, Magdeburg, Germany
,
Andrea Koehn
3   Medical Faculty Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Malformation Monitoring Centre of Saxony-Anhalt, Magdeburg, Germany
,
Anke Rissmann 
3   Medical Faculty Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Malformation Monitoring Centre of Saxony-Anhalt, Magdeburg, Germany
› Author Affiliations
› Further Information
Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Introduction Congenital anomalies play an important role in infant mortality worldwide. The present study aims to present the current data on the prevalence rates and the 1-year survival rates for selected major congenital anomalies in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.

Materials and Methods The data were collected systematically by the Malformation Monitoring Centre Saxony-Anhalt. Cohort from 2000 to 2017 was retrospectively analyzed to determine the prevalence rates and the survival rates of nine major congenital anomalies. The survival analysis was conducted, including all pregnancy outcomes and various risk factors.

Results In total, 1,012 cases of the selected congenital anomalies were registered. The total prevalence rates ranged from 2.5 (congenital diaphragmatic hernia [CDH]) to 5.8 (spina bifida [SB]) per 10,000. The live birth prevalence was lower. In total, 88.3% of live-born cases survived the first year. The 1-year survival rate of all cases, including fetal losses, was merely 61.7%. There was no continual improvement in survival during the study period noted. The 1-year survival rate was 35.7% for “genetic” malformations, 57.6% for “multiple congenital anomalies,” and 68.6% for “isolated” cases, with 44.6% for prenatally detected anomalies and 85.2% for postnatally identified anomalies. Gestational age less than 31 weeks and birth weight below 1,000 g affected the survival rate adversely.

Conclusion The survival rate of infants suffering from congenital anomalies in Saxony-Anhalt is comparable to that reported by national and international studies. Registering all pregnancy outcomes irrespective of whether they result in a live birth, stillbirth, or fetal loss in a malformation register seems to be important as it affects the statistical survival analysis in general.

Keyword

congenital anomaly - infant - survival - prevalence - pregnancy outcome


Publication History

Received: 16 August 2022

Accepted: 04 October 2022

Article published online:
28 December 2022

© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany