Children with congenital anomalies show improved survival rates

New medical advances have improved the prognoses for children with various congenital anomalies, with overall survival rates at 20 years averaging 85.8% (95% CI, 84.8-86.3), according to the results of a recent study.

Researchers from Newcastle University in the United Kingdom used the U.K. Northern Congenital Abnormality Survey to trace survival rates of 13,758 children born between 1985 and 2003 with congenital anomalies.

Researchers noted the highest survival rates among children born with orofacial clefts, 97.6% (95% CI 95.9 to 98.6), followed by:

urinary system anomalies, 93.2% (95% CI 91.6 to 94.5).
cardiovascular problems, 89.5% (95% CI 88.4 to 90.6).
digestive system anomalies, 83.2% (95% CI 79.8 to 86).
chromosomal anomalies, 79.1% (95% CI 76.6 to 81.3).
and nervous system anomalies, 66.2% (95% CI 61.5 to 70.5).

Researchers noted that survival rates varied considerably between subtypes within the same group.

The researchers said an increase in the number of pregnancy terminations — from 12.4% in 1985 to 18.3% in 2003 — may have led to the decline in mortality rates for children with congenital anomalies.

The researchers added that rising survival rates might be due to advancements in medicine, such as improved surgical techniques for cardiovascular anomalies.

Tennant PWG.Lancet. 2010; DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(09)61922-X