Congenital malformations: preliminary report of an investigation of reduction deformities of the limbs, triggered by a pilot surveillance system.

A brief account is given of a pilot study-surveillance system of congenital anomalies. The steps taken to investigate a suspected increase in the numbers of infants born with reduction deformities of the limbs are described. Information is presented concerning 35 infants with reduction deformities of the limbs and other deformities born in four provinces during 1969. The importance of accurate reporting of all congenital malformations on vital statistics documents and on hospital records is emphasized. It is concluded that: (1) The pilot study-surveillance system is capable of demonstrating changes in incidences of anomalies and of initiating follow-up studies within a reasonable length of time; and (2) The information collected on these 35 patients, while not sufficient to establish the etiology of the anomalies, does suggest that no currently recognized factor has been identified for the majority of these cases and that there is a great need for further detailed investiation of possible etiological factors.