The Differences of Population Birth Defects in Epidemiology Analysis between the Rural and Urban Areas of Hunan Province in China, 2014–2018

OBJECTIVES: To compare the differences of epidemiology analysis in population birth defects (BDs) between the rural and urban areas of Hunan Province in China. METHODS: The data of population-based BDs in Liuyang county (rural) and Shifeng district (urban) in Hunan Province for 2014–2018 were analyzed. BD prevalence rates, percentage change, and annual percentage change (APC) by sex and age were calculated to evaluate time trends. Risk factors associated with BDs were assessed using simple and multiple logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: The BD prevalence rate per 10,000 perinatal infants (PIs) was 220.54 (95% CI: 211.26-230.13) in Liuyang and 181.14 (95% CI: 161.18-202.87) in Shifeng. Significant decreasing trends in BD prevalence rates were noted in the female PIs (APC = −9.31, P = 0.044) and the total BD prevalence rate in Shifeng (APC = −14.14, P = 0.039). Risk factors for BDs were as follows: rural area, male PIs, PIs with gestational age < 37 weeks, PIs with birth weight < 2500 g, and migrant pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: We should focus on rural areas, reduce the prevalence of premature and low birth weight infants, and provide maternal healthcare services for migrant pregnancies for BD prevention from the perspective of population-based BD surveillance.