October 7, 2012

Our study population was selected from all patients aged 0–2 years with major structural birth defects who were referred for surgery during the first 6 months of 2010 to one of the five main paediatric hospitals (Nassr, Rantissi, Dorra, European Gaza Hospital, and Emirati) or to one of two paediatric surgical departments (Al-Shifa and European…

A medical team interviewed pregnant women giving birth at the Al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza Strip, using a questionnaire that included questions from the International Clearinghouse for Birth Defects. The defects were then classified according to Eurocat-International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision.