Abstract: Objective To analyze the risk factors of birth defects in neonates in China so as to provide evidence for future prevention. Methods Relevant databases such as CNKI, VIP and Pubmed were searched for case-control study papers on influencing factors of birth defects in China published from 1998 to 2018. Meta-analysis of included literatures was performed using Revman 5.3.5 statistical software. Results Twelve qualified articles published in China in the past 20 years were collected and their scores of literature quality evaluation were all greater than 7 and hence were of high quality. The OR values of influencing factors were 3.25 for illness during pregnancy, 2.02 for pregnancy complications, 3.44 for exposure to harmful substances, 3.28 for past birth defects history, 3.27 for abortion, 2.13 for congenital diseases, 3.99 for pollution near the house, 2.12 for mothers smoking with or without alcohol consumption, 0.42 for higher family income, 0.43 for pregnancy examination, and 0.47 for premarital check-up. Conclusion Main risk factors for common birth defects in China were pregnancy illness, pregnancy complications, exposure to harmful substances during pregnancy, history of pregnancy and birth defects, history of abortion, congenital diseases of pregnant women, pollution near the house, and smoking or drinking. Higher family income, pregnancy screening and premarital check-up were protective factors.

Key words: Birth defects, Infant, Factor analysis, statistical, Meta-analysis