Hospital Based Birth Defect Surveillance in a Tertiary Care Centre

According to WHO in 2010, an estimated 270000 deaths globally were attributable to congenital anomalies during first 28 days of life. In an effort to decrease the number of congenital anomalies worldwide, 63 rd the WHO adopted a birth defects resolution. The aim was to prevent congenital anomalies and raise awareness about their effects. Hospital based surveillance was implemented in India in collaboration with WHO. Institute of Maternal and Child Health (IMCH), Govt. Medical College Kozhikode was selected from the state of Kerala. Aim of this study includes, monitor and detect clusters (outbreaks) of congenital anomalies among a defined population and refer affected infants to appropriate services in a timely manner. Out of 15519 live births and 409 still births during the period of one year from November 2015 to 2016, there were 123 newborns with selected external congenital anomalies.