Abstract: Objective To understand the change trend of the incidence rate of perinatal birth defects in Henan from 2008-2017, thus to provide scientific basis for making and perfecting the prevention and intervention measures of birth defects.Methods Surveillance data on birth defect from 2008-2017 in Henan were collected for statistic analysis by SAS 9. 13 software.Results A total of 2 615 717 perinatal infants were monitored in Henan from 2008-2017, the incidence of birth defects was 114. 11/10 000, and the incidence rate was increasing year by year (χ²= 9. 45, P<0.001). The incidence of perinatal birth defects in urban areas was higher than that in rural areas, the incidence of perinatal birth defects in boys was higher than that in girls, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the incidence of birth defects among the delivery women in <20, 20-, 25-, 30-, and 35 year-old age groups (P<0.05). The delivery women in <20 and ≥35 year-old age groups were vulnerable to birth defects. The incidences of congenital heart disease and multi-finger (toe) were increasing. At the same time, the incidences of total cleft lip and spina bifida were decreasing. The variation range of congenital heart disease and spina bifida was great.Conclusion The incidence rate of birth defects shows a rising trend in Henan from 2008-2017.With the increase of older pregnant women, it is necessary to further enhance the technical level of prenatal screening and prenatal diagnosis services, improve the ability to detect birth defects, and reduce the incidence of perinatal birth defects.