Epidemiology and Surveillance of Congenital Anomalies in Iran

As reported in the first chapter of this section, there has been no national evidence-based data of the occurrence of congenital anomalies in Iran until the TRoCA was set up in the northwest of the country. In this chapter, the nationwide situation of congenital anomalies in Iran will briefly be reported from the national registry programme of birth defects. The national programme collects data on the occurrence of congenital anomalies in Iran producing prevalence rates of defects and making geographical comparisons across the country. The ultimate aims of the data gathered in this registry would potentially enable aetiological studies and service provision investigations to response to the healthcare needs of high-risk population.