Regional network for the surveillance of congenital malformations: adaptation to international standards

The project derives from the collaboration between the Sicilian Region – Regional Department of Health – Department of Health Activities and Epidemiological Observatory – DASOE and IRIB CNR
Congenital malformations constitute a sensitive indicator of environmental pressure especially in highly contaminated areas and the implementation of territorial surveillance networks is one of the recommended tools to protect public health.
In Sicily a surveillance system on congenital malformations is active. The system is managed at a regional level and was established directly by DASOE, through a WEB interface, with the help of a network of territorial contacts (one for each unit in which birth centers or pediatric wards exist) accredited at the regional level after a specific training session. In order to improve the quality characteristics of the system, a project was launched in collaboration between DASOE and IRIB CNR which allowed the validation of cases eligible for malformations based on a, evaluation algorithm working on the hospital diagnosis cards (SDO) for the years 2012-2014. The Sicilian detection system has become part of the EUROCAT network. It therefore seems appropriate to continue the experience gained in order to guarantee the maintenance of adequate detection standards and adaptation to European parameters.
IRIB will provide detection support, support for coordination activities at DASOE, support for the recovery of missing variables for cases identified by SDO, active recovery of reports and support in critical controls.