A retrospective analysis of birth data hospital-based obtained from 14 monitoring areas in the Huaihe River Basin from 2009 to 2019 was conducted. Trend in the total prevalence of birth defects (BDs) and subgroups were analyzed using the Joinpoint Regression model. The incidence of BDs increased gradually from 118.87 per 10,000 in 2009 to 241.18 per 10,000 in 2019 (AAPC = 5.91, P < 0.001). Congenital heart diseases were the most common subtype of BDs. The proportion of maternal age younger than 25 decreased but the age 25-40 years increased significantly (AAPC<20=-5.58; AAPC20-24=-6.38; AAPC25-29 = 5.15; AAPC30-35 = 7.07; AAPC35-40 = 8.27; All P < 0.05). Compared with the one-child policy period, the risk of BDs was greater for groups among maternal age younger than 40 years during the partial and universal two-child policy period (P < 0.001). The incidence of BDs and the proportion of women with advanced maternal age in Huaihe River Basin is increasing. There was an interaction between changes in birth policy and the mother's age on the risk of BDs.
Keywords: Birth defects; China’ birth policy; maternal age.