OBJECTIVE: Estimate the prevalence of birth defects in the Vale do Paraíba Paulista, São Paulo - Brazil, during the years of 2002 and 2003. METHODS: Cross-sectional study based on Birth Certificates available in the São Paulo Health Secretary site. The abnormalities were described according to chapter XVII of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD) 10 for variables related to mothers and infants born alive at birth. The dependent variable was the presence of abnormalities. The independent variables were analyzed to estimate the association between congenital anomalies and maternal and newborn data registered in the Birth Certificates. Qui-square test, linear trend qui-square and Student t test were performed by the Epi-Info 6.04d statistical program. RESULTS: We analyzed 41,838 records, but 628 (1.5%) birth certificates did not present the specific field fulfilled and 317 (0.76%) neonates presented birth defects. There was a positive association between congenital anomalies and premature delivery, stillbirths, type of delivery, low birth weight and low Apgar score. The osteomuscular and nervous systems were most frequently affected. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of malformations observed in the present study was lower than those described in other studies, possibly due to under notification.
infant, newborn; abnormalities; birth certificates; prevalence
