Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology · 1962 · 18 citations · 0 references
MedicineObstetricsPediatricsMaternal-fetal MedicinePerinatal EpidemiologyPreterm BirthCongenital AnomaliesCongenital Disorder EpidemiologyCongenital DisordersCongenital Heart DiseaseCongenital MalformationsCongenital Organ DefectsCentral Nervous System AbnormalitiesCongenital Cardiovascular MalformationsCongenital Heart Defects EpidemiologyGenitourinary AnomaliesPerinatal Mortality EpidemiologyPerinatal Mortality Statistics
Summary Four hundred infants with major and minor malformations recognizable at birth have been studied. The incidences were 1.51% and 0.28% respectively (total, 1.79%). The commonest malformations were talipes and congenital heart defects. No correlation with sex incidence was found, other than a male preponderance in genito‐urinary malformations. No correlations were found with the racial origin of the mothers, maternal blood groups, or antenatal obstetrical emergencies. The association with prematurity was confirmed, one‐third of the infants with major malformations being 2,500 g. or less in weight. A tendency was shown for the grosser malformations to result in more premature births. Congenital malformations were a little commoner in the infants of primigravidae; in the infants of mothers over 41 years of age the incidence was increased threefold. Central nervous system malformations, congenital heart defects and multiple malformations contribute most to the pool of perinatal mortality and infant morbidity.