ORIGINAL PAPER
Geospatial clustering of gastroschisis in Poland: Data from the Polish Registry
of Congenital Malformations (PRCM)
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1
Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
(Department of Medical Genetics)
2
Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
(Department of Computer Science and Statistics)
3
Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
(Department of Preventive Medicine)
4
Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
(Department and Clinic of Neonatology)
5
Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
(Department of Pediatrics in Zabrze)
6
Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
(Department of Neonatology)
7
Poviat Hospital, Nysa, Poland
(Neonatal Unit)
Corresponding author
Anna Materna-Kiryluk
Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Department of Medicial Genetics, Rokietnicka 8, 60-806 Poznań, Poland
Barbara Więckowska
Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Department of Computer Science and Statistics, Dąbrowskiego 79, 60-529 Poznań, Poland
Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2016;29(3):461-70
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ABSTRACT
Objectives: The aims of this study were: to evaluate the prevalence of abdominal wall defects in the Polish population,
to analyze temporal trends in the prevalence, to identify areas (clusters) of high risk of abdominal wall defects, and to
characterize, with respect to epidemiology, children with abdominal wall defects and their mothers in the area defined as
a cluster. Material and Methods: We used isolated congenital malformations (gastroschisis Q79.3 and omphalocele Q79.2
according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th revision (ICD-10,
the extended version)) data reported to the Polish Registry of Congenital Malformations (PRCM) over the years 1998–
2008 based on the population of 2 362 502 live births. We analyzed 11 administrative regions of Poland with complete
epidemiologic data. Results: Of 11 regions, 2 had a significantly higher standardized prevalence of isolated gastroschisis:
Dolnośląskie (1.7/10 000 live births, p = 0.0052) and Śląskie (1.9/10 000 live births, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, within the region
of Dolnośląskie, we defined a clear prevalence of the isolated gastroschisis cluster (p = 0.023). We comprehensively
examined demographic and socio-economic risk factors for abdominal wall defects in this area, and we found that these
factors failed to account for the cluster. Conclusions: We identified a distinct prevalence cluster for isolated gastroschisis,
although a precise reason for the disease clustering in this region remains unknown. Cluster identification enables more
focused research aimed at identification of specific factors with teratogenic effects.