History and Funding
The Registry started in 1990 and became a member of EUROCAT in 1992. The Registry is situated in the Epidemiology Unit of the Regional Public Health Department which provides accommodation and computer facilities.
Population Coverage
The Registry is population-based III which covers all mothers delivering in Asturias in Northern Spain excluding non-residents of that area. In 1999, 1.5% of non-resident mothers gave birth in the covered hospitals of Asturias. The Registry covers approximately 6,500 births annually.
Sources of Ascertainment
Case forms are collected from pathology units, biochemical and cytogenetic laboratories, neonatology and pediatric units, obstetricians, geneticists, death certificates and hospital discharge forms. The Registry covers livebirths up to the first week of life.
Terminations of Pregnancy for Fetal Anomaly (TOPFA)
Termination of pregnancy is legal up to 12 gestational weeks in the case of sexual assault and no upper limit for maternal illness. If a congenital anomaly is diagnosed, the upper gestational limit is 22 weeks with an additional stipulation that two specialised medical reports are completed.
Stillbirth and Early Fetal Deaths
The official stillbirth definition is: a gestation age of 26 weeks and these are registered. The Registry definition for denominators is 22 weeks of a birthweight >=500g. Early fetal deaths/spontaneous abortions are defined as a gestational age of 20 weeks or a birthweight of 500g but these are not registered. Autopsy rates in 1999 were as follows: 84% in stillbirths, <50% in induced abortions, 60% in early neonatal deaths (0-7 days), % in later deaths 1 weeks to 1 year unknown and 92% deaths with congenital anomaly.
Exposure Data Availability
Information about maternal drug use, maternal diseases and obstetric history is available for cases.
Denominators and Controls Information
Denominators are available from the Asturias Natural Population Movement Statistics.
Address for Further Information
Servicio de Epidemiologia,
Conserjeria de Sanidad,
General Elorza 32,
E-33001 Oviedo,
Spain