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In connection with the surveillance programme of congenital malformations in Emilia Romagna led by I.M.E.R. Group since 1978 a crosswise survey has been performed on selected malformations: Down's syndrome, cardiac defects, unilateral or bilateral cleft lip and/or palate, unilateral or bilateral club foot. This survey has been useful as a pilot-study for another longitudinal survey which had a place in the programmes of the C.N.R. (National Research Council). By means of a multi-discipline approach we have collected information both of pediatric and of psycho-social character. A total of 187 children with the above named malformations were recorded at birth, 106 boys and 81 girls, aged from 9 months to 4 years. The neonatal diagnosis was confirmed in 84 out 86 cases under study. The rate of infant mortality was particularly high among children with heart defects (39.1%) and Down children (27.4%). The surgical centres where these children were operated upon, through with large variations in connection with the type of malformation, were in Emilia Romagna (49%), outside it (40%), and abroad (10.9%). As for the parental reaction to the birth of babies with congenital malformations, it was of initial rejection 5 cases of Down children, 3 cases of cardiopathy and 1 case of cleft lip and palate. Later the refusal was permanently confirmed only in 2 cases of Down children (who were subsequently adopted). The birth of a malformed baby has affected the relationship between husband and wife contributing to the separation in 3 cases of Down's syndrome and in 1 case of cardiopathy.