Objective: To investigate the birth defect condition in Haidian district of Beijing city, 61 272 live-born infants who were delivered in Haidian Maternal and Child Health Hospital from 2003 to the March of 2009 are analyzed. Methods: Data was collected from the hospital' s medical records and from the birth defect surveillance. Results: Among the newborns studied, 1 076 were found having birth defect (17.56‰). The most common birth defects are congenital heart defect, followed by dysmorphosis of external ear, polydactyly, hypospadia, cleft lip and palate. In addition, three birth defects that are not included in the birth defect surveillance list were enorchia, renal agenesis and giant hemangioma. The birth defect rates of preterm and small for gestational age infants are significantly higher than it of the term infants. The birth defect patterns for these two types of abnormal infants are distinct. Conclusion: We have determined the pattern of birth defects in Beijing, which may help in policy-making regarding the prevention and intervention of birth defects.

One hundred patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were randomly assigned to the medication group (n=38) or combined therapy group (n=62). The quality of life was investigated through the questionnaire before and after 6 months' therapy. Data showed that there was statistically significant difference between the two groups in physical, social, and emotional functions, and self-recognized health status (19.0±9.1 vs 6.6±4.8, 10.0±6.9 vs 3.8±3.3, 6.6±3.2 vs 3.0±1.8, and 11.4±7.6 vs 5.3±3.4) ( all P<0.05 ). Combined therapy could significantly improve the quality of life in RA patients.