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Ukrainian-American Birth Defects Program
28th Annual Meeting of the International Clearinghouse for Birth Defects Monitoring Systems (ICBDMS)
The International Clearinghouse for Birth Defects Monitoring Systems (ICBDMS) was founded in 1974 to provide a forum for the rapid exchange of information among the various birth defects monitoring or surveillance programs around the world. The ICBDMS is an independent, non-profit-making organization that was originally sponsored by the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation and has been affiliated since 1986 to the World Health Organization as a non-governmental organization. A center to coordinate the activities of the ICBDMS was founded in 1989. The International Center for Birth Defects (ICBD) initially established at the University of Bergen, Norway, was transferred to Rome in 1992. At this time, there are 31 participating programs in the Clearinghouse contributing on a voluntary basis, representing 34 countries (of which 13 are from the South America Program) and covering approximately 3 million births each year.
ICBDMS members are deeply involved in many collaborative research projects in areas of the great actual interest. Evaluation of the primary prevention of neural tube defects by periconceptional folic acid supplementation (BIOMED project and CDC-Atlanta project), and the study of the frequency of the C677T mutation of the MTHFR gene and other genes related to folate/homocystein metabolism in a representative, anonymous sample of the newborn population - are two examples (from many others) of the scientific contributions of Clearinghouse members.
The ICBDMS is in a good position to provide assistance and scientific support for programs of countries interested in the field of birth defects. To apply for full membership of the ICBDMS, a program must have accumulated appropriate baseline data for a minimum of 100,000 births over a period of at least 2 years and must continue to monitor at least 20,000 births annually. Associate members must have established baselines and must monitor at least 5,000 births annually. Both types of membership require participation in joint studies and the reporting of selected data annually.
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During September 1-5, 2001 in Groningen, the Netherlands, the 28-th Annual Meeting of the International Clearinghouse for Birth Defects Monitoring Systems members took place. Ukrainian-American birth defects program, which works in Volyn and Rivne Oblasts, presented data concerning birth defects surveillance according to the international standards. The director of the Program Dr. W. Wertelecki and its surveillance director Dr. T. Vihovska made their reports at this meeting.
Information about data ascertainment system was represented in the reports. On the first level this system includes neonatologists of delivery hospitals who work under the control of the Program neonatologists. Program geneticists, using tele-consultations, diagnose and code birth defects cases. The program provides surveillance of all deliveries - nearly 28 thousands annually. Information centers were created in Volyn, Rivne, Kherson and Khmelnytsky Oblasts, they provide fast access to modern medical information both to doctors and population. Information about International Birth Defects Information System (I.B.I.S.) was also represented at the meeting. According to the solid decision of the ICBDMS Executive Committee Ukrainian-American Birth Defects Program was officially accepted as an associated member of the International Clearinghouse - the first country from other post Soviet Union countries.
 Participants of the Meeting |
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2002
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20/August/2002 R.C.
