A prospective study on congenital anomalies at birth at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Bihar

Abstract

Background: Birth defect, also known as congenital anomaly, is a condition present at birth regardless of its cause. They may be structural or functional including metabolic disorders. Congenital anomalies are the important causes of stillbirth, infant and childhood deaths, chronic illness, and long-term disability. Congenital anomalies or birth defects are still not considered a significant health problem in India as they are low in the prevalence. However, scenario is changing fast. Data on the prevalence of congenital anomalies are needed to channelize the health service for the prevention and management. The objective was to study the prevalence of congenital malformations in new-borns and the associated factors.Subjects and Methods: This is a prospective study undertaken on women admitted in labor room of PMCH, Patna, from June 2018 to May 2019. All live and still born babies with congenital anomalies were included in the study. Sociodemographic factors and information of antenatal checkup of mothers recorded.Results: Out of the total 6647 deliveries, 82 babies were malformed. Incidence was 1.33%. Live babies were 60, whereas 22 were still born. The incidence was higher in multigravidas and age more than 30 years. Neural tube defect was the most common.Conclusions: Birth defect surveillance at a larger level is required to understand it's magnitude in India. Most anomalies are preventable. Prevention and management of nutritional deficiency and medical disorders such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, and cardiac diseases can reduce the incidence. Regular antenatal care, folic acid supplementation, and vaccinations should be promoted.