Between January 1992 and January 1995 a total of 24233 babies born
consecutively in Corniche
Hospital which is the only maternity hospital in Abu Dhabi, the capital
of UAE, were surveyed for
the presence of major congenital malformations. A total of 401 infants
(16.6/1000) had a major
defect. Of these malformations, 267 (67%) were associated with an estimated
recurrence risk greater
than 1%, and 95 (24%) carried an estimated recurrence risk greater than
10%. This included a total
of 91 cases of single gene disorders and 4 cases of cleft lip and palate
where a mother and another
sibling were affected putting their estimated recurrence risk in the high
category group. When
antenatal diagnosis is feasible, this should be considered in 60% of mothers
(a total of 242). In 59%
(a total of 237) the estimated recurrence risk was >1% and the antenatal
diagnosis of the disorder
was possible. The importance of Genetic Counselling is revealed in our
study since more than three
quarters of mothers were under 36 years old, and may well plan future pregnancies.