The Laboratory of Epidemiology of Congenital Malformations (LEMC) of the Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/Fiocruz) has been active, since 1991, in the prevention of congenital anomalies through the coordination of the clinical epidemiology program aimed at the study and prevention of congenital malformations. 

It is a Reference in the Epidemiology of Congenital Malformations. 

LEMC researchers work in the epidemiological surveillance of congenital malformations in Latin American hospitals and in the development of health education actions.

They are also dedicated to researching the importance of genetic and environmental factors in the causality of congenital anomalies, so that it is possible to support preventive actions. 

The group also evaluates the actions of the Unified Health System (SUS) for the prevention of birth defects, in particular the anti-rubella vaccination campaign and the fortification of flour with folic acid, and seeks to identify Brazilian populations stigmatized by attributable congenital alterations to reproductive patterns of inbreeding or to avoidable environmental factors. 

Among the specific objectives of research in the Laboratory are: 

1. Identify genetic and environmental factors in the causality of congenital malformations and chronic degenerative diseases of genetic etiology, with emphasis on oncogenetics, oral health and neurogenetics; 

2. Epidemiologically delimit dysmorphological phenotypes in order to facilitate the identification of more homogeneous malformations; 

3. Invest in new demands in public health, given the increased incidence of chronic degenerative diseases and infectious and non-infectious epidemics;  

4. Manage and analyze the epidemiological and molecular data generated by our research network, aiming at planning future projects; 

5. Promote knowledge through production in research and training in human resources in the field of clinical and molecular epidemiology of genetic diseases. 

Head of the Laboratory of Epidemiology of Congenital Malformations 
Fernando Regla Vargas (Curriculum lattes) 

Deputy Head of the Laboratory of Epidemiology of Congenital Malformations 
Flavia Martinez de Carvalho (Curriculum lattes)