Prospect of the Monitoring System for Congenital Disorders in Japan

The study of the monitoring system for congenital disorders in Japan is still in its early stage. In reviewing the short history of the study, we can notice some serious problems, i.e. the lack of clear definition, inadequate selection, and unreasonable classification of congenital disorders to be monitored. With this in mind, an extensive program of the monitoring system for congenital disorders was organized in 1979 by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. It is in accord with a global view to establish a new monitoring system, getting an accurate picture of congenital disorders of the Japanese people and having a quick response to the new flows, and setting up a monitoring center.