History and Funding
The creation of the Medical Services Department Registry for Birth Defect (MSD‐BDR) started as part of the current research project on 01/07/2010, the starting date for data collection. On 01/01/2013 registration of birth defect from all the 17 hospitals run by the Medical Services Department of the Saudi Army using a special web-based programme developed for this purpose. It was planned to be a nationwide registry for birth defect on 01/01/2014.
This project is funded by the Saudi government. The initial research project was funded by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST).
From 01/01/2013, the MSD‐BDR has been funded by the MSD department of the Saudi Army. The nationwide registry will be funded by the Ministry of Health.
Population Coverage
The registry is hospital-based. The initial period from 01/07/2010 until 31/12/2012, the population covered included all births at Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC) (approximately 25000?). From 01/01/2013, the population covered approximately 50,000 births per annum. From 01/01/2014 the nationwide registry will be expected to cover around 350,000 births per year.
Sources of Ascertainment
Compulsory. Currently it is following an order from the Higher Authority at the MSD. It will be expected to be by law once it is a nationwide registry.
Maximum Age at Diagnosis
Currently it is 2 years.
Terminations of Pregnancy for Fetal Anomaly (TOPFA)
TOPFA is legal in Saudi Arabia since 2012. This is applicable up to 120 days post conception (19 weeks).
Stillbirth and Early Fetal Deaths
In Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, up to 23+6 weeks are considered early fetal death (spontaneous abortion). Completed 24 weeks and above are considered stillbirth. The lowest gestational age considered for birth defects by the registry is 16 weeks. Autopsy is prohibited in Saudi Arabia except for some medico-legal cases.
Exposure Data Availability
Although we are World Affiliate Member who is not required to transmit data but we would be able to transmit all the core data outlined in the standard guide 1.3 format, if required, since we follow the EUROCAT methodology.
Denominators and Controls Information
Since it is a hospital-based programme, we obtain all obstetric data from the department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology database. We also collect data on controls.
Registry Description References
English is the official language of the registry. The diagnosis of malformation included text and codes, using the ICD10 BPA. We register up to 8 malformations per case and we exclude minor malformation as outlined by the EUROCAT Guide 1.3.
Ethics & Consent
Legislation for medical data protection was introduced in 1970. We do not need consent for case registration.
Address for Further Information
Dr. Ahmed M. Kurdi
Senior Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Head of Fetal Medicine Division
Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Prince Sultan Military Medical City
(formerly Riyadh Military Hospital) Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia
Mobile: +966 505451701
Office: +966 1 4777714 ext. 40782
Fax: +966 1 4777714 ext. 26888
Email: ahmedkurdi@yahoo.com / akurdi@psmmc.med.sa