EUROCAT (medicine)

EUROCAT is a European network of population-based registries for the epidemiological surveillance of congenital anomalies. EUROCAT supports research into causes and prevention of congenital anomalies, and facilitates the implementation of primary prevention.

History

EUROCAT was established in 1979 under the auspices of the European Commission and the World Health Organization. It was initially funded by the European Commission as a pilot project, and has since been funded by various sources, including the European Commission's Public Health Programme.

Objectives

The main objectives of EUROCAT are:

• To provide essential epidemiological information on congenital anomalies in Europe
• To facilitate research into the causes and prevention of congenital anomalies
• To contribute to the planning and evaluation of services for affected children and their families
• To contribute to the monitoring and evaluation of antenatal screening practices

Methodology

EUROCAT collects data on all major types of congenital anomalies, from structural anomalies to chromosomal abnormalities. The data is collected from multiple sources, including birth registries, hospital records, and prenatal diagnosis centres.

Impact

EUROCAT has made significant contributions to the understanding of the epidemiology of congenital anomalies in Europe. It has provided valuable data for research into the causes and prevention of these conditions, and has contributed to the development of policies and services for affected children and their families.

See also

• Congenital anomalies
• Epidemiology
• European Commission
• World Health Organization