Temporal trend of congenital malformations of the nervous system in the last four years in Brazil

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Congenital malformations are represented by functional or structural anomalies of fetal development. Of note is Encephalocele, Microcephaly, Congenital Hydrocephalus, Spina Bifida, other Malformations of the brain, other malformations of the spinal cord and other malformations of the nervous system. OBJECTIVE: To describe the temporal tendency of the congenital malformations of the nervous system in the period from 2010 to 2014 in Brazil. METHODS: A descriptive ecological study of the temporal trend encompassing the years 2010 to 2014, whose data were collected from the Department of Informatics of the DATASUS Single Health System, in the information system on live births (SINASC), and these data are in agreement with The IBGE population estimates. The sample selection was performed using the Health Information platform (TABNET). Newborns with congenital malformations of the nervous system were enrolled in the years 2010 to 2014 in Brazil, being identified by ICD-10: Q00 to Q007. The variables of this study were: Region (North, Northeast, South, Southeast and Center West), sex (male and female), type of delivery (vaginal, cesarean and forceps), maternal age, gestational age and birth weight. RESULTS: The highest number of occurrences of malformations through DATASUS in the period from 2010 to 2014 was in the Southeast region, followed by the Northeast. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated an epidemiological panorama of the cases of congenital malformations of the nervous system. These results serve as a tool for health planning and interventions, as well as for a better understanding of public managers, in order to serve this population and direct investment in this area.