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YEAR BOOK |
University of Ulster
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WHO Collaborating Centre for the epidemiologic surveillance of congenital anomalies
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What is EUROCAT?
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A European network of population-based registries for the epidemiologic surveillance of congenital anomalies.
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Started in 1979, it now covers more than a quarter of all births in the European Union.
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More than one million births per year in Europe surveyed by 39 registries in 19 countries of Europe.
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Standardised central database on more than 250,000 cases of congenital anomaly among livebirths, stillbirths and terminations of pregnancy, updated every year.
The Objectives of EUROCAT
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To provide essential epidemiologic information on congenital anomalies in Europe.
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To facilitate the early warning of teratogenic exposures i.e. those which cause developmental malformations in foetuses.
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To evaluate the effectiveness of primary prevention.
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To assess the impact of developments in prenatal screening.
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To act as an information and resource centre regarding clusters or exposures or risk factors of concern.
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To provide a ready collaborative network and infrastructure for research related to the causes and prevention of congenital anomalies and the treatment and care of affected children.
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To act as a catalyst for the setting up of registries throughout Europe collecting comparable, standardised data.
Contact: Prof. Helen Dolk, EUROCAT Project Leader, EUROCAT Central Registry, Faculty of Life & Health Sciences,
University of Ulster, Shore Road, Newtownabbey, Co Antrim BT37 0QB;
Tel: +44 (0) 28 90366639; Fax: +44 (0) 28 90368341;
E-mail: [email protected] ; Web: www.eurocat.ulster.ac.uk