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Reduction in child mortality has been a priority issue in South Africa leading up to the Millennium Development Goals. However, the contribution of congenital disorders (CDs) to child mortality is yet to be recognised and acted upon. Rapid reductions in child mortality have resulted largely from comprehensive HIV and AIDS programmes and interventions such as the childhood Expanded Programme of Immunisation. However, the Rapid Mortality Surveillance System reports that since 2011, reductions in child mortality rates "stopped abruptly". This indicates that health issues other than those currently being addressed may require long-term prioritisation. In 2013, congenital anomalies (excluding many CDs) overtook infection as the third leading cause of early neonatal deaths, which account for one-third of all under-five deaths. As South Africa transitions epidemiologically, the proportion of deaths …