Recommendations and Guidelines

The Canadian Congenital Anomalies Surveillance Network (CCASN), is pleased to provide Recommendations concerning the establishment of congenital anomalies surveillance in Canadian jurisdictions; Coding of fetal anomalies; and Recommended data variables for congenital anomalies surveillance in Canadian provinces and territories.

These documents were produced by working groups of the CCASN to assist health departments, institutions and other organizations across Canada in their efforts to implement, expand or improve congenital anomalies surveillance.

Congenital anomalies surveillance is a key function to ascertain the number and nature of congenital anomalies and to assess the potential impact of risk factors. Congenital anomalies surveillance has also other benefits, several of which relate directly to public health. These include:

• the identification of new teratogens;
• the identification of infants in need of special education services or health interventions;
• to determine the impact of preventive strategies such as food fortification with folic acid;
• the evaluation of changes in prenatal diagnosis and screening modalities.

We hope that these resources will be useful to improve the quality of surveillance activities for congenital anomalies, which are a major contributor to infant mortality, childhood morbidity and adult disability in Canada.

Jane A. Evans
Chair, Advisory Group, CCASN

• Recommendations concerning the establishment of congenital anomalies surveillance in Canadian jurisdictions 3 Pages - 36 KB (Updated 27 May 2009)
• Coding of fetal anomalies 3 Pages - 38 KB (Updated 27 May 2009)
• Recommended data variables for congenital anomalies surveillance in Canadian provinces and territories 4 Pages - 99 KB (Updated 27 May 2009)