Abstract:Objective To learn the variation trend and epidemiologic features of birth defects in Dongguan City so as to provide a reference for formulating intervention program of birth defects. Methods The birth defects among 1,395,155 perinatal infants in Dongguan City from Jan. 2004 to Dec. 2014 were monitored, and the data were statistically analyzed. Results The incidence of infants with birth defects was 18.54‰ in the 11 years with a rising trend. The five main birth defects were congenital heart diseases, polydactyly, cleft lip and palate, congenital clubfoot, and neural tube malformations. The birth defects were related to residence origin of the parents, gender and number of neonates, as well as age of the pregnant women and living condition in perinatal peroid. Their differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). Conclusions The incidence of birth defects in Dongguan City is higher than the average national one and in a rising trend. The prenatal diagnosis rate of birth defects is low. Measures should be taken to reduce the incidence of birth defects.