1.2 Congenital Anomalies

According to WHO, an estimated 270 358 deaths globally were attributable to congenital anomalies during the first 28 days of life in 2012, with neural tube defects being one of the most serious and most common of these congenital anomalies.

The 63rd World Health Assembly in 2010 adopted a resolution on congenital anomalies (2), to encourage countries to build in-country capacity related to the development of congenital anomalies surveillance systems and the prevention of congenital anomalies, and to raise awareness about their impact. The resolution calls on Member States to prevent congenital anomalies wherever possible, implement screening programmes, and provide ongoing support and care to children with congenital anomalies and their families. WHO is to support Member States in implementing these services and to strengthen research and data collection in this area.

Structural congenital anomalies can be classified as one of two types: major anomalies or minor anomalies. Major and minor anomalies may sometimes be present in one individual.

• Major anomalies are structural changes that have significant medical, surgical, social or cosmetic consequences for the affected individual, and typically require medical intervention. Examples include spina bifida, anencephaly, heart defects and orofacial clefts. Major anomalies account for most of the mortality, morbidity, and disability related to congenital anomalies.
• Minor anomalies are structural changes that pose little or no significant health problem and tend to have limited social or cosmetic consequences for the affected individual. Minor anomalies are more common than major anomalies and can be a useful tool for clinicians to identify syndromes. Examples of minor anomalies include single palmar crease and clinodactyly (mild curvature of a finger).