Safer Care Victoria

Health services must report congenital anomalies for live births, stillbirths and terminations of pregnancy to the Victorian Congenital Anomalies Register (VCAR).

What do you have to report?

A congenital anomaly (or ‘birth defect’) is an anomaly in body structure or chemistry that is present at birth. They can range from very minor to major conditions.

Although most congenital anomalies are detected during pregnancy, at birth or in early infancy, some may not be recognised until long after birth. 

When the cause of a perinatal death is unclear, discuss the value of an autopsy with the infant’s parents.

This information helps CCOPMM provide expert advice on maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Placental pathology

Send the placenta for pathological examination in all cases of fetal death, and where possible for all early neonatal deaths, including: