To determine whether there has been an improvement in ascertainment of malformations in the Victorian Congenital Malformations Register (VCMR).
Methodology
The medical records of 500 children under 4 years of age admitted consecutively to two paediatric teaching hospitals in Victoria in 1992 were viewed to determine whether these cases had been notified to the Register.
Results
Over three-quarters of the defects recorded had been notified to VCMR. There was 100% ascertainment of chromosomal anomalies and a high proportion of major structural malformations were notified.
Conclusion
This study repeats the validation study completed in 1986 and shows marked improvement in ascertainment of malformations in the VCMR by 1992.
