[Secular trend in infant deaths by congenital malformations in Argentina (1980-2018)].

Introduction: Congenital malformations (CM) represent the second cause of infant death in Argentina.

Objective: To analyze the secular trend (1980-2018) of infant deaths due to CM at the regional and provincial level.

Material And Methods: The data come from the DEIS (Ministry of Health) and include the absolute number of deaths and live births and deaths by CM coded according to ICD-10 (Codes Q00-Q99). Infant mortality rate due to CM (IMR-CM) (number of deaths due to congenital malformations / number of newborns) and the proportion of deaths from CM (PD-CM) (percentage of deaths from congenital malformations / deaths from all causes) were calculated by regions (Center, NOA, NEA, Cuyo and Patagonia) and provinces. The period was divided into 7 subgroups of five years and one of 4. Secular trend was analyzed using a Poisson model. A line and bar graph were used to represent graphically the differences in the IRM-CM and PD-CM at the regional level.

Results: At the country level, there was a pattern characterized by the significant decrease and increase of the IMR-CM and PD-CM respectively. This pattern is repeated in the Central, Cuyo and Patagonia regions and in the provinces of Buenos Aires, Santa Fé, Entre Ríos, Neuquén, La Pampa, Mendoza and Santa Cruz. In the remaining regions and provinces, the IMR-CM exhibits a heterogeneous behavior.

Conclusion: To analyze the secular trend (1980-2018) of infant deaths due to CM at the regional and provincial level.