PRIMARY PREVENTION OF CONGENITAL MALFORMATIONS

Key words: Prevention, Congenital malformations, Folic acid, Smoking, Rubeola immunization

The Author reviews the available evidence on efficacy, risks and effectiveness of the main interventions aimed at prevention of congenital malformations (CM): rubeola immunization, preconceptional folic acid supplementation, avoidance of smoking during pregnancy, diabetes control and avoidance of theratogenic drugs. Expected results are expressed in terms of number of CM that could be avoided in Italy by each intervention. All the interventions appear cost-effective. Preconceptional administration of folic acid is the intervention with the best expected benefit.