Birth Defects Surveillance

Congenital anomalies, also known as birth defects, are structural or functional abnormalities, including metabolic disorders, that are present from birth. Congenital anomalies are a diverse group of disorders of prenatal origin that can be caused by single gene defects, chromosomal disorders, multifactorial inheritance, environmental teratogens or micronutrient malnutrition. This atlas of selected congenital anomalies is a companion tool to Birth defects surveillance: a manual for programme managers, and is intended to help in the development, implementation and ongoing improvement of a surveillance programme for congenital anomalies, particularly in countries with limited human and financial resources.