Congenital anomalies play a major role in all of pediatric care.
The leading cause of infant mortality in the United States is the sequelae of congenital anomalies. This exceeds the death rate for prematurity, SIDs, and other common causes of infant or neonatal death. Sixty percent of all admissions to a pediatric hospital are for conditions with a genetic basis. Three percent of all newborns have a recognizable congenital anomaly. Primary care physicians involved in the provision of health care for children and adolescents need a basic understanding of how to evaluate and when to refer children with genetic disorders or other congenital anomalies.