Global birth defects app: An innovative tool for describing and coding congenital anomalies at birth in low resource settings

Helen Dolk, Aminkeng Zawuo Leke, Phil Whitfield, Rebecca Moore, Katy Karnell, Ingeborg Barišić, Linda Barlow‐Mosha, Lorenzo D. Botto, Ester Garne, Pilar Guatibonza, Shana Godfred‐Cato, Christine M. Halleux, Lewis B. Holmes, Cynthia A. Moore, Ieda Orioli, Neena Raina, Diana Valencia

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Background: Surveillance programs in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) have difficulty in obtaining accurate information about congenital anomalies. 

Methods: As part of the ZikaPLAN project, an International Committee developed an app for the description and coding of congenital anomalies that are externally visible at birth, for use in low resource settings. The “basic” version of the app was designed for a basic clinical setting and to overcome language and terminology barriers by providing diagrams and photos, sourced mainly from international Birth Defects Atlases. The “surveillance” version additionally allows recording of limited pseudonymized data relevant to diagnosis, which can be uploaded to a secure server, and downloaded by the surveillance program data center. 

Results: The app contains 98 (88 major and 10 minor) externally visible anomalies and 12 syndromes (including congenital Zika syndrome), with definitions and International Classification of Disease v10 ‐based code. It also contains newborn examination videos and links to further resources. The user taps a region of the body, then selects among a range of images to choose the congenital anomaly that best resembles what they observe, with guidance regarding similar congenital anomalies. The “basic” version of the app has been reviewed by experts and made available on the Apple and Google Play stores. Since its launch in November 2019, it has been downloaded in 39 countries. The “surveillance” version is currently being field‐tested. 

Conclusion: The global birth defects app is a mHealth tool that can help in developing congenital anomaly surveillance in low resource settings to support prevention and care.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1057-1073
Number of pages17
JournalBirth Defects Research
Volume113
Issue number14
Early online date5 May 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - 15 Aug 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We thank Lavinia Schuler Faccini, Cecilia Mellado, and Mariana Piola, for translation of the app into Spanish and Portuguese. We thank the Global Health Network team for creating the Global Birth Defects site as part of the Global Health Network, and Jason Soffe at Fondation Merieux for the visual design elements of the app and website. The app was created as part of the ZikaPlan project, funded by EUHorizon 2020 #734584.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Authors. Birth Defects Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Keywords

  • RESEARCH ARTICLE
  • RESEARCH ARTICLES
  • app
  • coding
  • congenital anomaly
  • global health
  • surveillance
  • International Classification of Diseases
  • Zika Virus Infection/diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Zika Virus
  • Mobile Applications
  • Infant, Newborn

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