Objective To analyze the situation of perinatal birth defects in Qingdao, Shandong Province from 2012 to 2021, and to provide basis for comprehensive prevention and treatment.

Methods Hospital surveillance data of perinatal birth defects in Qingdao, Shandong Province from 2012 to 2021 were collected, χ² test and χ² trend test were used for statistical analysis.

Results The average incidence rate of birth defects was 78.83/10 000 in Qingdao, Shandong Province from 2012 to 2021, showing an upward trend （χ²_trend=211.87, P < 0.001）. The incidence of perinatal birth defects in male （86.73/10 000） was higher than that in female （69.85/10 000）, while this number in urban area （123.88/10 000） was higher than that in rural area（40.83/10 000）, and the differences were statistically significant （χ²=94.71, P < 0.001； χ²=2 275.238, P < 0.001）. There were significant differences in the incidence of birth defects among different age groups （ P < 0.001）. The top five birth defects were congenital heart disease, hyprdactylia, symphysodactylia, total cleft lip, and other deformities of the external ear in Qingdao from 2012 to 2021.

Conclusion The rates of birth defect have been increasing in Qingdao, Shandong Province from 2012 to 2021. Congenital heart disease has always been the top 1 birth defect, and birth defects are related to perinatal gender, urban-rural distribution, and maternal age. Therefore, advocacy should be strengthened, age-appropriate childbearing should be encouraged, attention should be paid to environmental exposure and genetic factors, so as to explore effective ways to reduce the high incidence of birth defects.