Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Xinjiang is a multi-ethnic region with significant differences in local geographical position, economic development and climatic environment.
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the occurrence and development tendency of birth defects, disease categories and disparity among different ethnic groups and regions in Xinjiang.
METHODS: A stratified cluster random sampling observation was performed in 13 counties (cities) according to the status of ethnical distribution and local economics of Xinjiang. Quarter Report Sheet on Babies and The defect babies register card were filled as the scheme of Chinese birth defect monitoring, and ICD10 diagnostic code was adopted in birth defect diagnosis. The birth defects rate was calculated from January 2005 to December 2008, and the disease categories and disparity among different ethnic groups and regions in Xinjiang were analyzed.  
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The average incidence rate of birth defect was 9.74‰, which was dramatically descended in 2006 and ascended afterward yearly. The incidence rate of countryside was higher than city, and male more than female. In geography, south of Tianshan Mountain was higher than north and east in birth defect incidence. Among major ethnic groups in Xinjiang, Sibe and Uygur had the highest birth defect incidence rate, followed by Man, Hazakh, and Han. The birth defect incidence of Han, Uygur and Hazakh people showed descend tendency, Hui, Mongolia, and Man people fluctuated, yet Sibe’s rate had a change of rise and fall. The first five birth defect entities were neural tube deformity, cleft lips, anencephaly, congenital hydrocephalus and cleft palate combined with cleft lips. The birth defects rates are different from ethnic groups and regions in Xinjiang.