Birth defects surveillance study.

OBJECTIVE: To study the overall frequency of congenital malformations in a city hospital in the first three days of life. METHODS: 17,653 consecutive newborns were examined and diagnosed at a maternity hospital by pediatricians and geneticists. Relevant information was documented on a predesigned proforma and analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 17,653 births 294 (1; 6%) had major malformations and 1400 (7.92%) had minor malformations. Amongst 17,653 births 328 (1.8%) were stillbirths. Malformations were highest in this group. Polygenic traits accounted for 45.1% while chromosomal etiology was found in 4%. A genetic basis was found in 65.4% of cases. CONCLUSION: With emphasis on ''small family '' norms & population control it is necessary to identify malformations so that Interventional programmes can be planned.