Table 4 Characteristics of the birth defect registries used for comparison with Lombardy birth defects registry
From: Descriptive epidemiology of selected birth defects, areas of Lombardy, Italy, 1999
Characteristic | Finland | Georgia | Hawaii | Lombardy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Type of registry | Population-based | Population-based | Population-based | Population-based |
Size (births/year) | 58,000 | 50,019 | 20,636 | 12,008 |
Time for diagnosis | Up to 1 y | Up to 6 y | Up to 1 y | Up to 1 y |
Compulsory | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Defects in abortion/terminations considered? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not yet |
Case ascertainment | Passive | Active | Active | Passive |
Sources: | Â | Â | Â | Â |
   Hospital reports | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
   Pathology reports | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
   Cytogenetic lab reports | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
   Other registries | National registers of abortions and births | No | No | No |
   Hospital discharges | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
   Death certificates | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
   Birth certificates | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
   Fetal death certificates | No | Yes | Yes | No |