Major congenital anomalies occur in three per cent of all births or one in every 33 babies born in Malta, according to a report by the Department of Health's Information and Research Unit.
It said a baby with one or more major birth defects is born every three days. Over the 10 year period 2003-2012, birth defects led to 104 infant deaths, accounting for 43.5% of all infant deaths.
“Although several congenital anomalies have no known cause, we know today that several exposures such as certain medications and alcohol may lead to certain birth defects. Methods of primary prevention are available, including maintaining healthy nutrition, preconception folic acid supplementation, and control of maternal infections and chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes and epilepsy. “
The most common congenital anomalies are congenital heart defects, followed by limb defects and genital defects. (see below). No comparison with the situation abroad was given.
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Number of cases and prevalence of the major anomaly groups 2003-2012 2003-2012 (total births: 40,493) |
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Number of cases |
Prevalence/10,000 births |
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Nervous system defects |
89 |
21.98 |
|
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Eye, Ear, face and neck |
27 |
6.67 |
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Congenital heart defects |
480 |
118.54 |
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Respiratory system |
2 |
0.49 |
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Oro-facial clefts |
88 |
21.73 |
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Digestive system |
82 |
20.25 |
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Abdominal wall defects |
18 |
4.45 |
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Urinary system |
95 |
23.46 |
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Genital system |
141 |
34.82 |
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Limb defects |
149 |
36.80 |
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Chromosomal defects |
115 |
28.40 |
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The report was issued to coincide International World Birth Defects Day today.
See report at
https://ehealth.gov.mt/HealthPortal/chief_medical_officer/healthinfor_research/intro2.aspx.