BIBLIOGRAPHIC INPUT SHEET TEMPORARY Patterns of mortality ...

Chapter X. CongenitalAnomalies 217
Fia. 108. Mortality of Infants with Congenital Anomalies of All Types and Excluding Down's Disease
by Age of Mother in Seven Projects.
1400 CHACO SAO PAULO SHERROOKE CHILE EL SALVADOR MONTERREY CALIFORNIA
.i1200­
PROVINCE PROJECT PROJECT PROJECT
-1000
60 . ........ 1
- 400
O200
o O0
1 3 I I I n I I III N si M II I I I n II. I nbub... Ito 1'. toI
lbb
Ao OF MOIHII IN YEARS
. ...... lchdiI OoI'. dl...,.
under 20 years varied only from 607.5 to tion of congenital anomalies based on Iior­
882.7 per 100,000 live births, a relatively tality in childhood. The relative signifnarrow
range compared with that of the icance of these conditions in infancy and
rates for anomalies of specific systems. childhood becomes greater as other (aus(,,s
The combined data by age of mother for of morbidity and mortality arv redu(,ed aIld
these seven projects for all anomalies and as diagnostic procedures are improved.
for all excluding Down's disease produced These two factors usually (o hand ill hand.
the following rates per 100,000 live births: The frequency of certain anomalies, because
Age of All Excluding of their seriousness, can m'olrlolly be fri',,,
mother anomalies Down's disease well known through mnortality statisti s ox-
Under 20 years 695.0 656.2 ing to the lilited chance of survival. At
20-24 years 616.9 588.8
25-29 years 561.8 530.9 the other extreme, Pertain ones may haVe
30-34 years 699.8 622.7 little or no pathologica1l signifianv thein­
35 years and over 930.0 663.2 selves, but they indicate the possilbility of
As can be seen, the rates are of similar more serious hidden anomalies. Between
size in the youngest and oldest mothers these two extrnles various degrees of severwhen
Down's disease is excluded. The rates ity may be attached to the anomalies, andl
are lowest for mothers aged 25-29 years at quality of the treatinent miay Ihe the main
the birth of the child.
factor underlying (dit'elcilces in stildies of
* * * ilmortality. The most outstaillin findings
The preceding presentation reveals that in this Investigation in regaird to congenital
the abnormal conditions known as congen- anomalies are the difference. encountered
ital anomalies represent a very important in connection with those of the central nerand
difficult field of pediatric pathology. vous system. These differelices point to tlhe
These data provide a background of infor- existence of causative factors that urgently
mation concerning the geographic distribu- need investigation.